501.% 

S5S 


SCENES  IN  THE  WEST, 


OR 


III! 


W?5 


AND 


TEMPERANCE. 


c><*->o 


BY   A    MISSIONARY. 


PHILADELPHIA : 
LUTHERAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION, 

42  NORTH  NINTH  STREET. 
1873. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1873,  by  the 

LUTHERAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  in  and 
for  the  Eastern  District  of  Pennsylvania. 


Lancaster,  Pa. : 

Inquirer  Printing  and  Publishing  Compant, 

Stereotypers  and  Printers. 


PREFACE. 

The  author  of  this  volume  has  brought  to- 
gether a  few  incidents  in  real  life  to  illustrate 
the  power  of  godliness  in  the  individual,  and 
tlie  blessings  of  the  Sunday-school,  the  influence 
of  the  prayer-meeting  and  the  cause  of  temper- 
ance in  the  church  and  in  the  community. 

That  the  God  of  all  our  mercies  may  bless 
this  little  book  to  the  reader,  is  the  prayer  of 
the  author. 


CHAPTER. 
I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 

VIII. 

IX. 

X. 

XL 

XII. 

XIII. 


FAGB. 

The  Missionary 13 

Misfortunes 27 

Relief  Obtained 39 

An  Appointment 45 

The  Missionary  Preaches 56 

Mr.  Steele's  Meeting 62 

Mr.  Mason  and  Mr.  Wilson 69 

Missionary  Visits ...  78 

Opposition 84 

Sunday-school  Organized— Local 

Preacher 92 

Mr.  Kerr  and  his  Family 98 

The  Temperance  Cause 109 

Mr.   Truman — Missionary's  De- 
parture.....   118 

II 


1 2  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER.  PAGE. 

XIV.  Workings  of  the  Sunday-school 

AND  Temperance  Society 123 

XV.  George  AND  Mary 134 

XVI.   Mr.  Brown's  Family 140 

XVII.  Missionary     Again     Visits     the 

West 145 

XVIII.  Death 152 


SCENES  IN  THE  WEST. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  MISSIONAR  Y. 

"  The  melancholy  days  had  come. 
The  saddest  of  the  year." 

A   LL  nature  seemed  to  be  resting  in  a  quiet 

-^^-^    dreamy  slumber.      The  bee  had  well 

nigh  laid  up  its  winter  store,  and  many  of  the 

birds  were  preparing  to  leave  for  more  genial 

climes  in  the  sunny  south.   All  these  were  but 

the  harbingers  of  the  cold  storms  that  were 

lingering  behind  the  snow-covered  mountains 

of  the  north.     Indian  summer,  the  season  of 

romance,  like  the  life  of  a  humble  Christian, 
2  »3 


14  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

leaves  its  loveliest  scenes  to  its  departing 
hours.  It  was  in  the  midst  of  these  balmy- 
days  that  you  might  have  seen  a  traveler  with 
a  worn  satchel  in  one  hand  and  a  staff  in  the 
other  coming  up  a  narrow  lane  leading  to  the 
home  of  a  prosperous  Western  settler.  He 
walked  slowly,  for  he  had  left  behind  him 
many  weary  miles  ;  his  countenance,  though 
calm,  was  pale  and  languid  ;  yet  his  eye 
seemed  to  bespeak  the  hope  that  here  he 
might  find  the  much-needed  rest. 

Two  men  were  standing  beside  the  gate  at 
the  end  of  the  lane  when  the  stranger  came 
up.  The  one  was  a  kindly  disposed  person 
with  but  little  force  of  character,  and  deficient 
in  moral  courage,  whom  we  shall  know  as 
Mr.  Kerr.  The  other,  whose  name  was  Steele, 
was  the  owner  of  the  premises. 

He  was  a  large  man,  selfish  and  resolute, 
a  conceited  formalist,  bigoted,  exceedingly- 
headstrong,  and  greatly  prejudiced  against 
all  Christian  zeal. 


THE   MISSIONARY.  1$ 

No  sooner  did  Mr.  Steele  notice  the  ap- 
proach of  the  stranger  than  he  turned  to  Mr, 
Kerr  and  exclaimed :  "  There,  I'll  bet  you, 
comes  that  Sunday-school,  temperance  loafer 
I've  heard  so  much  of  lately.  I  reckon  he 
expects  to  get  in  here;  but  I  tell  you,  sir,  my 
'  shanty '  don't  hold  the  Hke  of  him,  while  I'm 
boss  here,  *  that's  said!'"  This  was  uttered 
with  emphatic  bitterness.  To  this  passionate 
outburst  Mr.  Kerr  ventured  a  little  palliation 
by  the  remark  that  he  had  heard  that  in  the 
other  settlement  the  people  seemed  to  like 
the  missionary  very  well. 

"  Vo2i  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  his 
nonsense,  would  you  ? "  retorted  Mr.  Steele 
with  a  look  of  scorn. 

No,"  feebly  and  insincerely  muttered  Mr. 
Kerr,  "  we  have  got  along  so  far  without  it, 
and  I  guess  we  can  get  along  without  it  a  lit- 
tle further." 

"That's  my  ticket,"  sharply  added  Mr. 
Steele. 


l6  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

By  this  time  the  stranger  had  reached  the 
gate.  A  calm,  pleasant  smile  lit  up  his  pale 
countenance  ;  and  he  accosted  them  with, 

"  Good  evening,  friends." 

"  Good  evening,  sir,"  responded  Mr.  Kerr. 

"  How  d'ye  do,  sir,"  thundered  out  Mr. 
Steele. 

"  This  has  been  a  very  pleasant  day,"  ven- 
tured the  traveler. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  curtly  replied  Mr.  Steele. 

"  I  am  very  tired,"  continued  the  stranger; 
"  could  I  stay  with  you  to-night  ?" 

"  You  are  the  fellow  who  goes  about  lec- 
turing on  temperance,  and  getting  up  Sun- 
day-schools, aint  you  ?  "  sarcastically  rejoined 
Mr.  Steele,  his  face  reddening. 

"That  is  my  calling,"  meekly  added  the 
man  of  God. 

"  Then  you  don't  stay  all  night  in  my 
house;  I  don't  harbor  fellows  who  are  too 
lazy  to  work,"  sneeringly  answered  the  ex- 
cited Mr.  Steele. 


THE   MISSIONARY.  1/ 

"  But  I  am  very  tired,  and  my  head  aches 
badly  ;  I'll  pay  you  well." 

''Cant  help  it.  The  sooner  you  make 
tracks  the  better,"  retorted  the  unfeeling  man. 

"  I  am  afraid  it  will  storm  to-night,"  con- 
tinued the  missionary,  pointing  to  a  dark 
cloud  which  was  looming  up  in  the  west. 

"  You  might  have  stayed  at  home  and 
minded  your  own  business,  instead  of  mind- 
ing other  people's,  and  kept  out  of  this 
trouble,"  replied  Mr.  Steele,  with  a  look  so 
severe  that  the  poor  wanderer  lost  all  hope 
of  any  comfort  or  favor  from  this  seemingly 
inhospitable  dwelling;  so  he  inquired  how 
far  it  was  to  the  next  house. 

"  That  depends  entirely  upon  which  way 
you  go,"  mockingly  answered  the  hard- 
hearted man,  with  a  wink  to  Mr.  Kerr,  and 
a  conceited  smile  at  the  unfeeling  wit  he  had 
displayed. 

"  I  expect  to  continue  my  labors  westward," 
gently  added  the  missionary. 

2* 


l8  SCENES    IN   THE    WEST. 

His  soul  was  grieved  at  the  hardness  of 
this  man's  heart,  and  for  a  moment  he  felt 
like  looking  upon  his  persecutor  with  anger. 
But  he  remembered  that  even  his  Lord  and 
Master  was  mocked  and  derided  ;  that  "  when 
He  was  reviled,  He  reviled  not  again ;  but 
as  a  lamb  before  his  shearers  is  dumb,  so  He 
opened  not  his  mouth."  And  the  humble 
follower  of  the  Man  of  Sorrows  in  silence 
offered  up  the  prayer,  "  Father,  forgive  them, 
they  know  not  what  they  do." 

The  door  of  common  humanity  being 
closed  against  him,  he  made  up  his  mind  to 
continue  his  journey,  let  the  dangers  and 
privations  be  what  they  might.  An  angel 
seemed  to  whisper,  "  I  will  lead  thee  in  the 
way  in  which  thou  shalt  go  ;"  so  he  took 
courage. 

Being  thirsty,  he  ventured  to  ask  for  a 
drink  of  water. 

"  You  can  go  to  the  spring,"  was  the  ab- 
rupt answer,  and  the  cruel  man  turned  upon 


THE   MISSIONARY.  I9 

his  heel,  and  in  company  with  Mr.  Kerr  pass- 
ed on  to  the  barn,  leaving  the  suffering  one 
standing  by  the  gate  alone. 

But  George,  a  lad  of  about  ten  years,  and 
Mary,  a  little  flower  of  seven  summers,  had 
looked  on  and  listened  with  the  curiosity 
common  to  children.  Their  hearts  were  filled 
with  pity  toward  the  poor  man  ;  and,  when 
even  a  drink  of  water  was  denied  him,  the 
inherent  kindness,  implanted  in  all  our  na- 
tures, was  instantly  awakened. 

In  a  moment,  as  the  missionary  turned  the 
corner  of  the  yard,  the  two  children  met  him 
each  with  "a  cup  of  cold  water."  "  Here  is 
good  fresh  water,  please  drink,"  said  the  little 
ones.  His  heart  was  melted  at  this  unex- 
pected exhibition  of  kindness;  and  invoking 
a  blessing  upon  the  dear  children,  he  raised 
the  cup  to  his  lips  and  was  refreshed.  He 
then  opened  his  satchel,  and  gave  each  child 
a  picture  card  and  Sunday-school  paper,  also 
cards  for  the  men,  together  with  a  neat  little 


20  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

tract  for  their  mother.     Bidding  them  good- 
by,  he  with  a  sigh  resumed  his  lonely  journey. 

The  children,  happy  in  having  done  a  kind- 
ness, hurried  to  their  mother,  and  were  soon 
showing  and  admiring  the  papers  and  cards  ; 
she,  mother-like,  very  naturally  shared  their 
pleasure,  but  thought  of  the  stranger  with  a 
pang  of  regret,  for  she  feared  that  he  would 
take  the  road  leading  into  an  unsettled  region, 
infested  with  wild  beasts  and  roving  Indians. 
After  admiring  the  pictures,  she  told  the 
children  all  she  knew  of  the  Sunday-school, 
for  which  these  beautiful  things  were  made, 
at  the  same  time  hoping  that  her  husband's 
opposition  to  them  might  be  removed. 
•  "  I  wish  there  was  Sunday-school  here," 
said  George. 

"  Won't    there    be   Sunday-school    here, 
mother?"  exclaimed  both  at  once. 

"  I'm  afraid  not,"  said  their  mother,  sor- 
rowfully, knowing  the  hostility  of  many  of 
the  neighbors  toward  anything  of  the  kind. 


THE   MISSIONARY.  21 

"  Why  not,  mother  ? "  innocently  asked 
the  chiidren. 

"  This  was  one  of  those  questions  children 
often  ask,  and  which  it  is  so  hard  to  answer. 

"  I  don't  know,"  she  replied,  evasively,  add- 
ing, "  go  give  your  father  and  Mr.  Kerr  their 
cards.     They  are  at  the  barn." 

Hurrying  out,  their  noisy  delight  soon  ar- 
rested the  attention  of  the  men. 

"  What  in  the  world  is  up  now  ? "  won- 
dered their  father. 

"See  here,  father,  see  here!"  exclaimed 
the  children,  holding  out  the  cards. 

"Who  gave  you  these  ?"  said  he,  reaching 
out  his  hand  for  the  gifts,  and  suspecting  the 
source. 

"  The  man  at  the  gate ;  we  gave  him  a 
drink,  and  he  gave  us  these  (showing  their 
cards)  and  a  little  book  for  mother,  and  this 
one  for  you  and  that  one  for  Mr.  Kerr." 

Looking  for  a  moment  at  the  engraving,  he 
read,  "  For  I  was  an  hungered,  and  ye  gave 


22  SCENES   IN  THE  WEST. 

me  meat ;  I  was  thirsty,  and  ye  gave  me 
drink;  I  was  a  stranger,  and  ye  took  me 
in." 

Instantly  the  terrible  reproof,  associated 
with  these  words,  awakened  the  man's  slum- 
bering conscience.  Writhing  under  its  force 
he  tried  to  construe  the  innocent  gift  into  an 
insult ;  then  flinging  it  to  the  ground  he 
stamped  his  foot  upon  it. 

At  this  exhibition  of  anger  all  the  joy  of 
the  children  vanished. 

Mary  began  to  cry,  and  George  wondered 
what  there  was  about  the  card  to  offend  his 
father. 

In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Kerr  had  read  his 
card.  The  words  were,  ^'  Kxi6.  these  shall  go 
away  into  everlasting  punishment,  but  the 
righteous  into  life  eternal." 

"  What  have  you  got  ?"  sneeringly  asked 
Mr.  Steele,  of  his  companion.  Mr.  Kerr  read 
the  text  with  some  emotion. 

"  Just  what  I  expected  !  he  thought  to  give 


THE   MISSIONARY.  23 

US  a  cut,"  said  the  angry  man,  at  the  same 
time  adding  many  abusive  words. 

Mr.  Kerr  tried  to  assent  to  the  remarks, 
but  the  words  upon  the  card  had  touched  his 
heart ;  and  he  felt  Hke  hating  himself  for 
having  yielded,  against  his  convictions,  to  the 
unreasonableness  of  his  neighbor  toward  an 
unoffending  stranger.  Putting  the  card  in 
his  pocket,  he  was  compelled  to  be  an  unwill- 
ing listener  to  the  tirade  of  a  would-be  Chris- 
tian (for  Mr.  Steele  was  a  member  of  church) 
against  prayer-meetings,  temperance  societies 
and  Sunday-schools, 

As  soon  as  practicable,  Mr,  Kerr  left  for 
home ;  his  conscience  still  at  work,  accusing 
him  of  cowardice,  and  partaking  of  another's 
sin.  "And  these  shall  go  away  into  everlasting 
punishment,"  like  a  poisoned  arrow  was  fester- 
ing in  his  heart,  until  his  guilty  imagination  con- 
ceived that  the  card  contained  his  eternal  doom. 

Meeting  his  wife  at  the  door  of  his  house, 
he  handed  her  the  fatal  card. 


24  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

"Oh,  the  kind  stranger  gave  you  this  !"  she 
exclaimed  with  animation.  "  He  was  here  this 
afternoon,  and  gave  each  of  us  one  of  the  same 
kind,  and  left  one  for  you.  And  then  he  prayed 
with  us.  I  wish  he  would  settle  here  and  get 
up  a  Sunday-school,  of  which  he  talked  so 
much.    I  believe  he  is  one  of  the  best  of  men." 

"  I  wish  so  too  ;"  involuntarily  broke  from 
the  full  heart  of  the  stricken  man  ;  "  I  believe 
he  is  a  good  man.  He  came  to  Mr.  Steele's  a 
few  hours  ago,  but  was  turned  off." 

"  Why  didn't  you  bring  him  home  with 
you  ?"  she  asked. 

"Well,  I  know  I  ought  to  have  done  so; 
but  I  was  afraid  of  Mr.  Steele,  who  you  know 
hates  all  such  people."  To  avoid  any  more 
questions  on  the  subject,  he  asked  to  see 
what  the  man  had  left  for  him.  The  card  was 
soon  handed  him,  and  he  read:  "Fear  not 
them  which  kill  the  body,  but  are  not  able  to 
kill  the  soul ;  but  rather  fear  Him  who  is  able 
to  destroy  both  soul  and  body  in  Hell." 


THE   MISSIONARY.  2$ 

This  was  another  arrow  from  the  quiver  of 
the  Ahnighty.  His  wife  soon  detected  the 
change  that  had  come  over  him,  and  with 
becoming  soHcitude  endeavored  to  find  out 
the  cause;  but  in  this  hereflbrts  were  evaded. 
"I  was  afraid  of  Mr.  Steele,"  thought  he, 
"  who  would  not  even  dare  to  kill  my  body — 
whilst  I  did  not  fear  Him  who  is  able  to  de- 
stroy my  soul."  Leaving  him  in  his  sorrow, 
we  will  return  to  Mr.  Steele. 

The  children,  mortified  and  discouraged, 
had  left  the  barn,  and  gone  to  their  mother 
for  consolation  in  their  disappointment.  This 
was  always  afforded  them ;  for  never  was  a 
mother  more  kind  to  her  little  ones,  and  yet 
more  decided  in  her  endeavors  to  train  them 
in  the  right  way. 

Mr.  Steele,  being  conscious  of  having  done 
wrong,  tried  to  rid  himself  of  his  unpleasant 
feelings,  by  bustling  about,  doing  first  this, 
then  that,  for  relief  It  was  late  before  he 
entered  the  house,  and  lest  he  should  be  sus- 


26  SCENES    IN   THE  WEST. 

pected  of  regretting  what  he  had  done,  he 
confronted  his  wife  with,  "  I  wonder  what 
kind  of  trash  that  loafer  left  here  with  you 
and  the  children  to-day  ?  I  guess  he  wants 
to  set  up  an  agency  here." 

"  They  are  in  the  bureau  drawer,"  there, 
said  his  wife,  "shall  I  get  them  for  you  ?  " 

"  No,  I  don't  want  to  see  any  more  of  the 
trash  ;  "  and,  going  into  another  room,  he 
sat  down  to  read  a  political  speech.  But  it 
failed  to  interest  him.  The  coming  darkness, 
the  looming  up  of  heavy  clouds  in  the  dis- 
tance, the  stranger  out  in  the  pathless  wilds, 
the  abused  privilege  of  doing  good  to — per- 
haps, after  all— one  of  the  followers  of  the 
Redeemer  ;  the  text  on  the  card  with  its  in- 
direct reproof,  were  thoughts  which  crowded 
themselves  upon  his  mind.  For  a  moment 
he  wished  that  he  had  given  the  stranger 
shelter ;  but  prejudice  had  too  long  held  sway 
to  be  thus  easily  set  aside.  He  had  taken  a 
stand,  and  he  would  maintain  it,  let  the  con- 
sequences be  what  they  would. 


CHAPTER  II. 

MISFORTUNES. 

OUR  traveler,  after  leaving  Mr.  Steele's, 
unfortunately  took  a  road  leading  from 
the  inhabited  portion  of  country.  Night  was 
approaching,  and  the  last  sounds  of  human 
habitations  had  long  since  ceased  to  greet  his 
ear  ;  he  still  walked  on,  however,  hoping  that 
some  dwelling  would  come  into  view. 

The  sun  had  set  behind  the  great  moun- 
tain of  storm  clouds  in  the  west,  and  twilight 
was  drawing  a  curtain  of  darkness  around. 
The  clouds  rose  higher  and  higher;  the 
heavens  began  to  be  overspread  with  long 
masses   of   floating  vapor,   and  the  distant 

gleam  of  lightning  could  now,  be  distinctly 

27 


28  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

seen.  He  now  encountered  a  steep  hill  in 
his  march ;  his  limbs  could  scarcely  bear  his 
body  along,  but  he  knew  that  he  must  go  on. 
There  were  but  few  trees  on  the  hill,  and 
their  absence  enabled  him  to  see  his  way 
more  clearly  in  ascending,  but  the  valley  be- 
yond seemed  shrouded  in  midnight  darkness. 
These  wild  regions  were  infested  with 
wolves  and  other  ravenous  beasts,  and  our 
hero  being  unarmed,  his  life  became  hourly 
more  endangered.  After  struggling  along 
under  accumulating  difficulties,  in  utter  lone- 
liness and  discouragement  he  sat  down  on  a 
log  to  rest.  It  was  to  him  an  hour  of  trial ; 
and  his  patience  almost  failed  him.  But  the 
remembrance  of  God's  promise,  "  Behold,  I 
am  with  thee  and  will  keep  thee,"  cheered 
him.  A  clap  of  thunder  warned  him  of  the 
approach  of  the  storm,  and  aroused  his  en- 
feebled energies  to  their  task.  But  where 
should  he  go  ?  The  darkness,  if  possible, 
had  increased ;    not  a  ray  of  light  remained, 


MISFORTUNES.  29 

excepting  when  the  electric  fluid  for  a  mo- 
ment ht  up  the  heavens  with  its  lurid  blaze 
only  to  leave  it  still  darker.  An  effort  to 
secure  shelter  must  be  made  at  once. 

As  he  was  anxiously  hurrying  on  among 
the  weeds  and  fallen  timber,  a  huge  rattle- 
snake that  had  coiled  itself  under  some  rub- 
bish suddenly  sounded  its  "  death-rattle." 
Finding  that  danger  was  threatening  in  the 
heavens  above,  and  lurking  on  the  earth  be- 
neath, he  was  on  the  point  of  sitting  down 
and  awaiting  his  fate,  when,  suddenly,  a  flash 
of  lightning  revealed  an  opening  between 
the  tall  trees,  and  the  hope  that  there  might 
be  some  human  habitation  not  far  distant 
caused  him  to  again  renew  his  efforts. 

Moving  cautiously  forward,  he  succeeded 
in  crossing  a  stream  of  water  ;  a  short  dis- 
tance beyond  was  an  old,  broken-down  fence. 
The  glimpse  which  the  lightning  gave  him  of 
this,  the  work  of  man,  sent  a  thrill  of  joy  to 
his  desponding  heart. 


30  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

He  anxiously  watched  for  the  electric 
lamp  to  reveal  the  place  of  habitation.  Now 
and  then  a  large  drop  of  rain  fell,  and  pres- 
ently a  fearful  blaze  of  lightning  illuminated 
the  whole  heavens,  followed  by  a  clap  of 
thunder  that  seemed  to  shake  the  earth  to  its 
very  foundation  !  The  rain  was  now  de- 
scending upon  the  distant  hill.  Aroused  to 
a  full  sense  of  his  danger,  he  commended  his 
soul  to  God,  expecting  to  be  crushed  beneath 
the  falling  timber,  which  could  plainly  be 
heard  above  the  roar  of  the  elements. 

As  we  all  shrink  from  imminent  danger,  he 
instinctively  looked  around  for  some  protec- 
tion. Near  by,  in  a  clump  of  trees,  he  espied, 
when  it  again  lightened,  something  like  a 
roof  What  a  thrill  of  joy  entered  his  heart! 
Groping  his  way  forward,  he  found  a  little  hut 
with  door  wide  open  as  if  to  welcome  him ; 
he  needed  no  invitation,  but  rushed  in,  for  the 
storm  was  bursting  upon  him. 

All  within  was  dark  and  silent  save  a  rust- 


MISFORTUNES.  3I 

ling  in  one  corner  and  the  flitting  of  a  bat 
overhead.  The  chilly  dampness  which  per- 
vaded the  room,  and  the  musty  smell  that 
came  up  from  the  floor,  made  the  first  im- 
pression far  from  agreeable.  The  roof  leaked 
and  the  windows  were  gone.  In  one  corner 
he  found  a  dry  spot ;  here  he  nestled  down, 
awaiting  the  fury  of  the  descending  storm. 

The  elements  were  now  raging  with  irre- 
sistible power.  The  very  earth  seemed  to 
tremble  under  the  contending  forces  that  were 
hurling  destruction  all  around.  Part  of  the 
shattered  roof  came  down,  the  trees  were 
torn  up  by  the  roots  and  the  cabin  was 
almost  lifted  from  its  foundation. 

r 

Happily  the  winds  hurled  the  rain  against 
the  corner  in  which  he  had  taken  refuge, 
and  the  logs,  chinking  and  daubing  that  re- 
mained, arrested  the  water,  so  that  the  place 
which  he  occupied  was  comparatively  dry, 
whilst  all  the  rest  of  the  inside  was  deluged 
with  the  dashing  rain. 


32  SCENES   IN  THE  WEST. 

Musing  for  a  time  upon  his  lonely  condi- 
tion and  his  prospects  for  the  future,  he  fell 
asleep,  and  did  not  awake  until  it  was  quite 
day.  He  arose,  and  kneeling  down  in  that 
deserted  cabin,  he  brought  all  his  sorrows 
before  God,  and  asked  in  great  humility  for 
His  guidance  and  protection. 

The  storm  had  passed,  and  the  sun  rose 
in  a  serene  and  cloudless  sky.  After  his  com- 
munion with  God,  he  came  out  of  his  retreat 
to  view  his  surroundings. 

The  ground  Avas  literally  covered  with 
pools  of  standing  water,  fallen  timber  and 
fragments  of  vegetation.  The  cabin  in  which 
he  had  slept  had  been  long  since  deserted, 
and  the  place  looked  mournfully  desolate, 
wild  and  forsaken. 

As  the  lowlands  were  now  full  of  standing 
water,  and  the  creek  so  high  that  to  return 
by  the  way  he  came  was  impossible,  he  took 
up  his  satchel  and  staff,  and  proceeded  west- 
ward in  search  of  a  settlement. 


MISFORTUNES.  33 

After  wandering  on  ^r  several  hours  he 
came  toa  larg^swamp  covered  with  reeds,  tall 
grass  and  spaces  of  open  water;  in  some 
places  the  covering  was  a  beautiful  carpet  of 
green  moss,  upon  which  one  could  stand,  but 
the  least  movement  would  shake  the  frail  moss 
bed  for  rods  around;  under  this  treacherous 
cover  there  appeared  to  be  a  great  depth  of 
quicksand  and  water.  A  path  made  by  wild 
animals  along  the  margin  of  the  swamp  some- 
what relieved  the  irksomeness  of  passing 
through  it. 

As  he  was  traveling  on  he  discovered  the 
footprints  of  a  bear  which  had  been  turning 
over  some  old  logs  in  search  of  worms  and 
insects.  An  encounter  with  Bruin  was  some- 
thing for  which  he  was  wholly  unprepared. 
Sitting  down  to  consider  which' course  he  had 
better  pursue,  his  attention  was  attracted  by 
a  noise  among  the  bushes  behind  him.  He  had 
already  passed  the  monster  and  might  have 

^scaped  unnoticed  had  he  not  sat  down  ! 

C 


34  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

The  bear,  seeing  mm,  came  out  of  the  bushes 
toward  him.  As  our  hero  dicf  not  show  any 
signs  of  retreat  the  bear  stopped  and  sat  upon 
his  haunches,  ready  for  a  fight.  The  worn-out 
missionary  did  not  feel  hke  accepting  the 
challenge,  but  was  rather  inclined  to  a  purely 
defensive  policy.  The  bear  remained  station- 
ary for  some  time,  waiting,  no  doubt,  for  a 
demonstration  of  the  purposes  and  ability  of 
the  stranger.  They  eyed  each  other  until  that 
indescribable  superiority  implanted  in  the  eye 
of  man  made  the  huge  beast  quail,  and  he 
sullenly  retreated  into  the  thicket. 

The  way  being  now  clear  our  traveler  again 
started  on.  The  marsh  was  at  length  passed,  but 
another  difficulty  now  presented  itself  in  the 
shape  of  an  abrupt  bluff;  too  much  fatigued 
to  ascend  it,  he  changed  his  course  by  its  base, 
still,  however,  designing  to  go  westward.  A 
beautiful  spring  that  gushed  out  from  among 
the  tocks  at  the  side  of  the  hill  invited  him  to 
.  rest.     Whilst  laving  his  sore,  feverish  fqet  in 


MISFORTUNES.  35 

its  cool  waters,  he  noticed  the  movements  of 
a  httle  squirrel  as  it  jumped  from  tree  to  tree, 
gathering  nuts  for  the  coming  winter.  Here 
he  learned  a  lesson  which  would  enable  him 
to  appease  his  hunger. 

Having  eaten  his  frugal  meal,  and  being 
somewhat  refreshed,  his  step  was  lighter.  An- 
other stream  impeded  his  progress,  so  he 
again  changed  his  course,  following  its  wind- 
ings among  the  valleys  and  hills.  Throughout 
his  whole  course  he  had  as  yet  seen  no  indi- 
cations of  the  presence  of  man. 

The  sun  was  again  setting,  and  as  the  shades 
of  night  increased  and  no  dwelling  appeared 
he  began  to  look  about  for  some  place  of  shel- 
ter. As  he  was  hastily  ascending  a  ridge,  a 
pack  of  wolves  commenced  their  discordant 
yelps  and  bowlings  right  in  his  front.  Turning 
around  he  wended  his  way  up  a  ravine,  walk- 
ing as  fast  as  possible.  Another  pack  of 
wolves  then  set  up  a  howl  to  his  left ;  this 
seemed  to  enrage  the  others,  so  that  their 


36  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

hideous  noise  could  not  but  chill  the  heart  of 
the  defenseless  wanderer. 

To  climb  a  tree  and  rest  among  its  branches 
for  the  night,  was  his  first  thought.  A  spread- 
ing beech,  with  branches  almost  reaching 
the  ground,  offered  its  accommodations. 
After  choosing  his  position  in  the  tree,  and 
fixing  himself,  as  he  supposed,  for  the  night, 
he  very  soon  found  his  limbs  cramped  and 
his  hold  unsafe.  Becoming  satisfied  that  to 
remain  where  he  was  would  be  risking  his 
life,  he  immediately  descended.  The  dark- 
ness, when  off  the  tree,  seemed  much  more 
dense ;  and  being  now  within  reach  of  the 
wolves,  made  him  almost  regret  having  left 
it.  "  Oh,  that  I  never  had  been  called  to  this 
sacrifice,"  involuntarily  burst  from  him.  A 
voice  whispered:  "  The  foxes  have  holes  and 
the  birds  of  the  air  have  nests,  but  the  Sott 
of  Man  hath  not  where  to  lay  His  head." 
These  words  were  not  without  effect,  for 
they  led  him  to  say,  "  if  the  Lord  of  Lords 


MISFORTUNES.  37 

suffered  thus  before  me,  why  should  I  murmer 
at  my  lot  ?"  and  he  again  "  thanked  God  and 
took  courage." 

At  length  he  succeeded  in  finding  a  hollow 
tree  which  answered  his  purpose.  Feeling  that 
he  was  in  God's  hands,  it  was  not  long  until 
"  tired  nature's  sweet  restorer"   came   to  his 

relief. 

It  is  well  that  God  conceals  from  us  the 
rod  with  which  He  intends  to  chasten  us  ; 
were  it  not  so,  our  prospective  trials  would 
seem  greater  than  we  could  bear.  The  trials 
encountered  by  His  servant  in  this  peculiar 
case,  were  but  the  beginning  of  those  in  store 

for  him. 

Having  changed  his  course  so  often,  he 
lost  all  idea  of  the  points  of  the  compass. 
The  consequence  was  that  he  spent  two  days 
and  a  night  longer  wandering  in  this  wilder- 
ness. At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
found  himself  at  the  very  old  hut  in  which 
he  had  spent  the  first  night ;  which  proved 


38 


SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 


to  him  that  he  had  been  travehng  in  a  circle. 
Under  the  circumstances,  he  was  very  glad 
to  again  avail  himself  of  the  protection  thus 
afforded. 


CHAPTER  III 


RELIEF  OBTAINED. 


'T^HE  night  having  passed,  in  the  morning 

the  missionary  felt  satisfied  that  he  could 

not  find  his  way  back  to  the  settlement  which 

he  had  left.     For  a  time  he  tried  to  find  the 

old  road  by  which  he  had  come  ;  but  failing  in 

this,    he    directed    his   steps    eastward.     His 

bewilderment  having  entirely  left   him,  his 

heart  was  joyous  and  his  step  light.  Although 

the  people  of  the  settlement  to  which  he  was 

returning,  were  comparatively    strangers  to 

him,  he  felt  assured  that  many  of  them  were 

Christians  more  than  in  name,  and  others  who 

did  not  bear  that  name  were  kind-hearted  and 

charitable.     Here  was  a  work  for  him  to  do. 

39 


40  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

The  day  was  rapidly  advancing ;  and  the 
elastic  step  of  the  morning  had  slackened  to 
a  laborious  effort  to  reach  his  destination. 

Hark  !  What  sound  is  that  ?  The  tink- 
ling of  a  bell !  He  now  knew  that  he  was 
nearing  the  settlement.  Pushing  on,  he  saw 
to  his  right  several  openings,  and  beyond 
smoke  curling  up.  He  at  length  reached 
the  gate  leading  into  the  yard  in  front  of  a 
farm-house.  Everything  had  a  neat  and 
comfortable  appearance.  That  he  might 
here  obtain  relief,  was  now  his  ardent  desire. 

A  dog  that  lay  before  the  door,  observing 
the  stranger  at  the  gate,  offered  a  decided 
resistance  to  his  entrance.  The  attention  of 
Mr.  Brown,  the  farmer,  was  thus  attracted, 
and  coming  out  of  the  house  to  see  what  was 
the  matter,  he  was  struck  with  the  forlorn 
appearance  of  the  stranger ;  and  with  feelings 
of  pity  invited  him  in.  The  kind  look  and 
cordial  welcome  touched  the  missionary's 
heart,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  he  kept 


RELIEF   OBTAINED.  4I 

back  the  tears.  Taking  up  his  satchel,  Mr. 
Brown  led  the  way  into  the  house,  and  intro- 
duced him  as  "  a  suffering  stranger." 

After  a  few  remarks  respecting  his  present 
situation,  he  commenced  to  relate  what  had 
befallen  him  during  the  past  few  days.  The 
whole  family  gathered  round  to  hear  his  piti- 
ful story;  and  all  were  greatly  moved  by  the 
recital  of  his  sufferings. 

"You  must  now  lie  down  and  rest,"  kindly 
insisted  Mrs.  Brown.  "  I  have  a  comfortable 
bed  prepared  for  you  in  the  adjoining  room. 
Henry,  my  boy,  will  you  show  the  way  ?" 

Henry  was  a  lad  about  ten  years  old.  A 
look  at  his  open,  honest  face  at  once  prepos- 
sessed you  in  his  favor.  He  immediately  did 
what  his  mother  desired. 

"  Mother,"   said   little  blue-eyed  Eliza,  as 

soon  as  the  stranger  had   disappeared,  "  who 

is  this  sick  man,  and  what  has  he  got  in  his 

satchel  there  in  the  corner  ?" 

"  Why,  my  dear  child/'  replied  her  mother, 
4* 


42  SCENES    IN   THE  WEST, 

"  you  should  never  ask  two  questions  at  once. 
Answering  your  last  question  first,  I  do  not 
know  what  is  in  the  satchel,  nor  should  my 
little  girl  be  curious  about  that  which  does 
not  concern  her.  As  to  the  man,  he  is  the 
missionary  who  traveled  through  here  last 
week,  trying  to  get  up  a  Sunday-school  in  our 
neighborhood." 

"  A  Sunday-school,  mother !  School  on 
Sunday  !  Why  he  must  be  a  wicked  man 
to  keep  school  on  Sunday  !  I  don't  want 
to  go." 

Her  mother  never  having  been  in  a  Sun- 
day-school herself,  scarcely  knew  how  to  ex- 
plain to  her  daughter  the  difference  between 
it  and  an  ordinary  day  school.  So  she  sim- 
ply said  : 

"  It  is  not  a  school  like  ours  down  at  the 
'  Cross  Roads,'  but  one  in  which  we  read  the 
Bible,  and  sing  and  pray,  and  are  taught  to 
ove  the  Saviour." 

"  O,  mother !"  exclaimed  the  child,  "  then 


RELIEFOBTAINED.  43 

I  would  like  to  go.  Do  tell  the  man  to  have 
one  in  our  school-house.  Will  you  mother?" 

"Yes,  child,  I  will  ask  hiiu  if  he  gets  well 
again." 

"  I  hope  he  will  get  well  soon,"  said  Eliza, 
and  bounded  off  to  tell  Henry  the  news.  He 
saw  her  coming,  and  as  her  manner  showed 
that  she  was  greatly  pleased,  he  called  out  in 
one  breath, 

"  What  have  you  got?  Who  gave  it  to  you?" 

"  I  have  nothing,"  she  replied ;  "  nobody 
gave  me  anything." 

"  Yes  there  did,"  said  Henry. 

**  No  there  didn't,"  curtly  answered  Eliza, 

"  What  tickles  you  so  then,"  rejoined  Henry 
in  a  milder  tone. 

By  this  time  Eliza's  ardor  was  quite  damp- 
ened by  Henry's  manner,  so  she  merely  re- 
plied : 

"  I  will  tell  you  to-morrow,"  and  then  left 
him. 

But  Henry  did  not  feel  like  waiting.     No 


44  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

sooner  was  she  gone  than  he  again  sought 
her,  more  anxious  than  ever  to  know  what  had 
so  excited  her. 

"  I  will  tell  you,"  she  said,  "  if  you  wont  be 

so  cross  to  me   next  time,"  evidently  feeling 

that  she  had  the  advantage  of  him. 

"  I  wasn't  cross.  I'll  always  be  good  and 
nice,"  said  Henry,  glad  to  come  to  terms,  for 
he  felt  very  curious. 

Eliza  then  sat  down  and  told  him  all  that 
her  mother  had  said  about  the  Sunday-school, 
occasionally  adding  an  exclamation  of  her 
own  to  make  it  seem  more  important. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

AN  APPOINTMENT. 

"IV  /T  RS.  Brown,  knowing  that  the  missionary 
had  been  deprived  of  the  proper  kind  of 
food  for  such  a  loni;  time,  thought  it  best  that 
he  should  now  take  it  in  small  quantities  and 
at  short  intervals,  and  for  this  reason  desired 
her  husband  to  rouse  him,  that  he  might  again 
partake  of  refreshment.  It  was  now  night, 
and,  after  a  season  of  devotion,  all  retired. 

The  sun  had  again  risen.  Hearts  had 
wakened ;  some  to  joy  and  hope,  others  to 
sorrow  and  despair.  The  missionary  had 
rested  well.  Although  he  still  looked  pale,  he 
had  in  a  great  measure  recovered  from  his  fa- 
tigue.    The  hospitality  of  this  most  excellent 

45 


46  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

family,  to  whom  Providence  had  directed 
his  steps,  was  shared  with  feehngs  of  the  deep- 
est gratitude. 

Mr.  Brown  and  his  wife  were  earnest,  de- 
voted Christians,  possessing  hberal  views,  and 
were  ever  ready  for  any  movement  that  could 
show  any  reasonable  prospect  of  doing  good. 
They  never  condemned  what  had  not  been 
faithfully  tried,  unless  forbidden  by  the  Word 
of  God.  Although  they  had  never  heard  a 
temjDerance  lecture,  and,  as  to  a  Sunday-school, 
it  was  something  respecting  which  their  know- 
ledge was  very  indistinct ;  yet,  when  these 
subjects  were  laid  before  them  by  the  mis- 
sionary, and  their  great  importance  shown, 
both  were  ready  to  try  the  experiment. 

"  We  will  make  an  appointment  for  you  at 
the  school-house  as  soon  as  you  will  be  able 
to  fill  it,"  said  Mr.  Brown,  "  and  then  you 
can  explain  the  whole  matter  to  the  people, 
and  we  will  try  what  we  can  do." 

"  I  am  ready,  with  God's  help,   to  com- 


AN   APPOINTMEbJT.  4/ 

mence  the  work  to-morrow,"  said  the  mis- 
sionary. 

"  Not  to-morrow,"  replied  Mr.  Brown ;  "  you 
must  not  disregard  your  health  when  duty 
does  not  demand  the  sacrifice.  As  this  mat- 
ter has  not  been  much  agitated  here,  and  no 
appointment  is  out,  a  few  days  rest  until  your 
strength  is  sufficient  to  carry  on  the  work 
when  commenced,  will  not  be  a  neglect  of 
duty.  As  the  young  people  have  singing- 
school  in  our  school-house  to-morrow  after 
noon,  we  will  send  and  have  an  appointment 
given  out  for  you  on  Tuesday  evening.  We 
will  also  have  the  announcement  made  at  the 
other  school-house  ;  then  the  people  will  have 
a  little  time  to  think  and  talk  the  matter  over, 
and  have  their  curiosity  aroused,  and  we  will 
have  a  good  turn-out." 

"  As  you  seem  to  understand  matters  so 
well,  I  will  leave  all  to  you,"  said  the  mis- 
sionary. 

Under  the  kind  care  of  Mrs.  Brown,  our 


48  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

traveler  improved   rapidly,  and  his  wonted 
cheerfulness  was  gradually  returning. 

"  Do  you  know  what  is  in  that  bundle 
there  in  the  corner?"  inquired  Eliza  of  her 
brother  Henry,  in  a  loud  whisper,  and  point- 
ing toward  the  stranger's  satchel. 

"  I  guess  the  stranger  has  his  '  things '  in 
it,"  answered  Henry,  looking  in  the  same 
direction. 

The  missionary,  hearing  their  conversation, 
and  wishing  to  gratify  their  curiosity  as  well 
as  please  them,  asked  them  to  bring  the 
satchel  to  him. 

After  showing  them  a  book  full  of  pretty 
pictures  and  a  Sunday-school  paper,  he  al- 
lowed them  to  look  at  a  great  many  beautiful 
cards,  upon  which  were  printed  hymns  and 
prayers.  He  explained  the  use  of  these 
things,  and  gave  each  of  them  a  card  and 
paper.  To  show  "mother"  what  they  had 
received  was  of  course  the  next  thing  to  be 
done,  and  they  had  almost  forgotten  to  thank 


AN    APPOINTMENT.  49 

the  missionary  in  their  hurry  and  glee.  The 
mother  was  almost  as  much  pleased  as  the 
children,  especially  with  the  papers.  After 
admiring  them  again,  the  children  asked  her 
to  lay  them  away  that  they  might  not  become 
soiled. 

Sunday-school  scholar,  do  you  prize  your 
cards  and  papers  as  these  children  did  ?  Or 
do  you  carelessly  soil  and  lose  them — or  per- 
haps tear  them  up  without  reading  them  ? 

If  you  have  thus  indifferently  treated  them, 
think  of  these  little  children,  and,  like  them, 
place  your  Sunday-school  gifts  among  your 
precious  treasures.  When  you  are  grown  to 
manhood  and  womanhood,  and  called  upon 
to  battle  with  life^  you  may  look  upon  these 
mementoes  of  childhood  and  youth  with  sad 
but  sweet  recollections. 

The  next  day  being  Sunday,  after  the  morn- 
ing duties  were  finished,  this  family,  with  the 
missionary,  enjoyed  a  season  of  devotion  and 

Christian  fellowship.     As  they,  in  the  fear  of 
5 


50  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST, 

God,  intended  to  "  move  upon  the  enemy's 
works"  on  Tuesday  night,  it  would  be  profit- 
able for  the  leader  to  know  how  the  enemy 
was  entrenched,  and  what  forces  had  been 
employed  against  him ;  how  these  operated 
and  what  their  success. 

"  What  kind  of  people  have  you  here  in  the 
West?"  inquired  the  missionary  with  a  smile. 
"Well,"  replied  Mr.  Brown,  "we  have 
what  the  geographer  terms  'a  mixed  popula- 
tion.' Or,  as  old  Peter  Miller  would  say, 
*  good,  bad  and  indifferent.'  It  is  a  great  mis- 
take in  eastern  men  to  suppose  that  the  west- 
ern pioneer  is  an  ignoramus.  You  will  find 
some  of  the  sharpest,  best  educated  and  most 
energetic  men  of  this  continent  here  in  the 
West.  A  great  many  have  the  *  bump  of  go- 
aheadativeness,'  as  Fowler  would  say, '  largely 
developed." 

"  Method  or  system  is  not  so  much  looked 
upon  as  'will  it  go?'  'will  it  pay?'  'how 
long  will  it  take  ?*      The  masses  are  what 

i 


AN    APPOINTMENT.  5I 

some  term  '  fast  men.'  Money  must  be 
made  at  once  !  Fortunes  acquired  in  a  day  ! 
Circuitous  approaches  are  inadmissible. 
*  Straight  through  and  go  ahead '  is  the  cry. 
'  Young  America '  here  is  impatient  of  delay ; 
and  if  one  way  does  not  at  once  succeed, 
another  is  tried;  and  if  speedy  results  are  not 
seen,  a  new  location  or  a  change  of  business 
is  contemplated.  Hence,  '  fogyism  '  is  gen- 
erally discarded,  and  which  ever  way  they 
move  they  tend  toward  the  extreme.  This 
restless  spirit  is  the  very  secret  of  their  being 
here.  Ambitious,  brave  and  independent 
minds  seek  their  development  in  situations 
where  they  can  '  make  a  country,'  create 
cities,  establish  commerce,  and  lay  the  foun- 
dation for  learning,  art  and  science.  " 

"Why,  indeed,  Mr.  Brown,  you  have  given 
me  a  very  graphic  description  of  the.  charac- 
teristics of  the  western  people,  and  it  almost 
makes  me  afraid  to  risk  my  abilities  among 
such,"  replied  the  missionary. 


52  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

"  Never  mind,"  said  Mr.  Brown,  "  you 
must  become  enthusiastic  too;  and  when 
they  see  you  are  in  earnest,  they  will  help 
you." 

"  But  are  there  not  some  '  old  fogies  ' 
mixed  up  among  the  crowd,  who  would  op- 
pose radical  measures  of  any  kind  ?"  mildly 
suggested  the  missionary. 

"  Plenty  of  them,"  quickly  replied  Mr. 
Brown.  "  It  is  especially  so  in  religious 
matters — here  they  seem  to  have  the  most 
influence,  being  well-meaning,  orderly  and 
good  men  ;  but  holding  the  idea  that  the  old 
routine  must  be  followed,  they  oppose  any 
change,  or  any  '  new  measure,'  as  they  call 
it ;  and  being  men  of  standing  in  the  com- 
munity, the  result  is,  in  many  cases,  that 
nothing  is  accomplished." 

"  Are  these  old  measure  men  inclined  to 
opposethe  temperance  cause,  prayer-meetings, 
revivals  and  Sunday-schools  by  any  decided 
action  ?"  seriously  inquired  the  missionary. 


AN    APPOINTMENT.  53 

"  Some  will,  and  carry  others  with  them, 
who  otherwise  might  be  made  active  mem- 
bers in  the  Church ;  as  they  are,  you  cannot 
tell  them  from  non-professors,"  rejoined  Mr. 
Brown. 

"Are  these  leading  men  hard  to  win 
over  ?  " 

"No,  not  all,"  answered  Mr.  Brown;  "they 
are  mostly  well-meaning,  and  if  you  can  con- 
vince them  of  a  more  effective  way,  they  will 
go  with  you  ;  but  some  are  very  bigoted." 

"  What  arguments  do  they  generally  use 
against  our  reformatory  movements  ?"  con- 
tinued the  missionary." 

"  They  generally  rely  upon  the  supposi- 
tion that  our  forefathers  lived  and  died  with- 
out any  of  these  '  new-fangled  doctrines,'  and 
if  they  went  to  Heaven  without  them,  we 
can  too." 

"  Why,  don't  they  see,"  queried  the  mis- 
sionary, "  that  the  Bible  is  full  of  temperance, 
(Acts  xxiv.  25  ;    Gal.  v.  23 ;    2  Pet.  i.  6 ;    i 


54  SCENES   IN  THE  WEST. 

Cor.  ix,  25 ;  i  Titus  i.  8);  of  revivals  (Acts  ii.  2), 
and  prayer-meetings  (Acts  i.  13,  14;  xvi. 
13;  xii.  12;  Luke  xxii.  39-46)?  There  are 
also  evident  commands  for  teaching  the 
Scriptures  to  the  children,  as  is  done  in  the 
Sabbath-school  (Gen.  xviii.  19  ;  Deut.  xxxii. 
46;  xi.  18,  19  ;  2  Tim.  iii.  15).  I  do  not  think 
they  would  call  these  things  new,  if  they 
would  prayerfully  study  God's  Word." 

"  I  wish  you  would  take  up  these  points  at 
the  proper  time,  and  give  them  a  full  Scrip- 
tural illustration,"  replied  Mr.  Brown.  I 
think  it  would  be  acceptable  to  the  people." 

"  I  will  do  so ;  but  on  Tuesday  night  I 
will  dwell  entirely  upon  the  utility  of  Sun- 
day-schools." 

The  hour  for  singing-school  had  arrived, 
and  the  children  had  gone,  taking  with  them 
an  "Appointment "  written  by  the  missionary, 
to  be  handed  to  the  teacher;  and  they  had 
not  forgotten  their  cards  and  papers,  which 
they  intended  to  exhibit. 


AN    APPOINTMENT,  55 

After  the  singing  was  over,  the  teacher  read, 
"  God  willing,  the  Sunday-school  missionary- 
will  deliver  a  lecture  on  the  subject  of  Sun- 
day-schools, and,  if  practicable,  organize  a 
school  here  next  Tuesday  evening,  at  early 
candle-light," 

"  Who  is  it  ?"  "  What  is  a  Sunday-school 
like  ?"  were  questions  asked  all  around,  but 
were  left  unanswered.  In  the  meantime, 
Henry  and  Eliza's  cards  and  papers  had 
been  going  the  rounds  from  hand  to  hand. 
A  general  confusion  and  excitement  ensued, 
ending;  in  a  resolve  that  they  must  all  come 
on  Tuesday  night. 

The  news  of  the  appointment  spread  like 
wildfire;  the  children  were  excited  by  the 
exaggerated  descriptions  of  the  cards  and 
papers,  and  were  unanimous  in  their  desire 
for  a  Sunday-school. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  MISSION AR  Y PREACHES. 

/^N  Tuesday,  a  beautiful  evening  closed 
^-^  the  day.  At  an  early  hour,  the  parents, 
together  with  quite  a  number  of  children, 
also  the  youth  of  this  and  other  neighbor- 
hoods, were  on  their  way  to  hear  what  the 
stranger  had  to  say  ;  some  having  made  up 
their  minds  for,  and  others  against  the  Sun- 
day-school. 

The  old  school-house  was  crowded  with 
expectant  ones,  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the 
"  Great  Speaker,"  as  he  had  been  reported. 

There  was  a  little  grove  in  a  ravine  behind 

the  barn  at  Mr.  Brown's;  this  secluded  spot 

the  missionary  sought  before  starting  to  fill 

56 


THE   MISSIONARY   PRfiACHES.        5/ 

his  appointment.  Here  he  laid  his  case  be- 
fore God,  asking  for  preparation  of  heart,  for 
wisdom,  for  strength,  for  words,  and,  above 
all,  for  the  power  of  the  Spirit  and  the  enseal- 
ing of  the  truth  upon  the  hearts  of  his 
hearers. 

Do  you  wonder  that  his  lecture  on  that 
night  was  endued  with  power  from  on  high  ? 

Mr.  Brown  offered  to  take  him  to  the 
school-house  in  his  wagon,  but  as  he  pre- 
ferred walking,  he  went  in  company  with  the 
children,  one  on  each  side  of  him.  Their 
prattling  conversation  made  his  heart  glad, 
and  he  longed  to  lead  all  the  little  ones  to 
the  Saviour. 

As  he  entered  and  took  his  place  at  the 
desk  in  the  school-room,  a  deep  silence  per- 
vaded the  audience.  After  offering  up  a 
silent  prayer,  he  asked  the.  people  to  sing  a 
hymn,  and  all  joined  in  the  glorious  old  tune, 
"Coronation,"  with  a  will.  After  a  short,  sol- 
emn and   impressive    prayer,  he  called   the 


58  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

attention  of  his  hearers  to  the  following  por- 
tion of  God's  Word :  "  Therefore  shall  ye 
lay  up  these  my  words  in  your  heart  and  in 
to  your  soul,  and  bind  them  for  a  sign  upon 
your  hand,  that  they  may  be  as  frontlets  be- 
tween your  eyes.  And  ye  shall  teach  them 
to  your  children,  speaking  of  them  in  thine 
house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by  the  way, 
when  thou  liest  down,  and  when  thou  risest 
up."     Deut.  xi.  1 8.  19. 

He  treated  his  subject  so  simply  that  the 
children  could  understand,  and  with  an 
earnestness  that  commanded  the  attention  of 
all.  After  showing  the  imperative  duty  of 
teaching  the  Scriptures  to  our  children,  and 
that  some  could  not,  and  others  woitld  not, 
thus  properly  teach  them,  he  said  that  it 
was  the  duty  of  all  Christians  to  see  to  it 
that  they  were  taught.  To  gather  them 
together  on  Sunday  for  religious  instruc- 
tion, was  the  most  appropriate  and  feasible 
method.      He   appealed   to   the   minds   and 


THE   MISSIONARY   PREACHES.         59 

hearts  of  his  audience  in  such  a  way  as  to 
foite  their  assent  to  the  truth  of  his  proposi- 
tions ;  and  that,  too,  from  persons  who  had 
come  with  feehngs  of  determined  hostihty. 
After  another  prayer,  and  the  singing  of  a 
hymn,  he  exhibited  his  Sunday-school  books 
and  papers,  picture  cards  and  prize  tickets, 
giving  to  each  in  turn  a  proper  explanation 
of  its  uses,  and  closed  with  an  appeal  to  the 
people  to  organize  a  Sunday-school  at  once. 

Upon  this,  a  man  arose  and  said,  with  con- 
siderable faltering,  that  he  objected  to  any 
such  "snap  judgment"  being  taken;  that 
this  Sunday.school  fuss  was  got  up  by  a  set 
of  loafers,  who  were  too  lazy  to  work,  to 
swindle  their  living  out  of  the  earnings  of 
honest  people.  And  he,  for  one,  was  not 
going  to  be  led  by  them.  Having  thus  made 
known  his  opinion,  he  sat  down.  This  man 
was  no  other  than  Mr.  Steele,  with  whom  we 
are  already  acquainted. 

The  missionary  did  not  think  it  prudent  to 


60  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

cast  pearls  where  they  would  be  trampled 
under  foot,  so  he  left  the  future  action  to  the 
people. 

The  short  speech  of  Mr.  Steele  encouraged 
those  who  were  prejudiced  against  any  "  in- 
novations," and  some  confusion  ensued.  Mr 
Brown  arose  and  said  that  he  was  sorry  that 
the  gentleman  who  had  just  taken  his  seat 
had  thrown  out  such  unwarranted  insinua- 
tions ;  and  as  he  did  not  offer  the  slightest 
evidence  to  sustain  his  assertions,  he  did  not 
feel  inclined  to  give  this  speech  the  least 
credit,  and  would  therefore  move  that  the 
gentleman,  Mr.  Steele,  be  requested  to  prove 
the  charges  made  against  those  who,  with  the 
present  lecturer,  are  endeavoring  to  organize 
and  establish  Sunday-schools.  This  was  sec- 
onded by  three  or  four,  and  almost  unani- 
mously carried.  The  time  of  meeting  deter- 
mined upon  was  the  following  Thursday  night. 

The  excitement  now  became  general ;  there 
being  a  division  of   sentiment  'among   the 


THE   MISSIONARY   PREACHES.        6l 

people,  and  as  this  was  leading  to*  confusion 
and  impropriety,  the  meeting  was  dismissed ; 
but  this  only  gave  more  liberty,  and  instead  of 
a  calm  discussion  of  the  question,  extravagant 
assertions  were  made,  and  hasty,  inconsider- 
ate conclusions  formed,  leading  to  angry 
words. 

A  number  sought  acquaintance  with  the 
missionary,  and  the  result  of  the  meeting  was 
that  he  had  warmer  friends  and  more  deter- 
mined enemies  than  before. 
6 


<®^:2^ 


CHAPTER  VI. 

MR.  STEELE'S  MEETING. 

T7ARLY  on  Wednesday  morning ,  the  mis- 
-'-^sionary  was  on  his  way  to  canvass  the  dis- 
trict. He  met  with  opposition  and  encourage- 
ment among  the  parents,  but  the  children  and 
most  of  the  young  people  were  decidedl}'  in 
favor  of  a  Sunday-school.  His  humility  and  sin- 
cerity won  him  many  friends,  and  before 
Thursday  night  came  he  had  disarmed  much 
of  the  opposition. 

The  time  for  Mr.  Steeleto  prove  his  charges 
having  arrived,  the  house  was  filled ;  indeed 
many  were  unable  to  get  in.  This,  to  the 
missionary,   was  an  omen  of  good ;  and  he 

felt  calm  and  strong  in  faith.     The   angry 

62 


MR.  Steele's  meeting.  63 

scowls  of  the  opposition  made  no  impression 
upon  his  feehngs,  for  he  well  remembered  the 
Saviour  had  said:  "Think  not  that  I  am  come 
to  send  peace  on  earth  ;  I  came  not  to  send 
peace,  but  a  sword." 

As  this  was  Mr.  Steele's  meeting,  he  was  on 
hand.  After  some  delay  he  arose,  and  with  a 
great  deal  of  agitation  said  he  reckoned  that 
the  time  to  begin  had  come,  and  he  guessed  he 
would  proceed.  He  consequently  commenced 
his  harangue  against  the  Sabbath-school,  and 
those  interested  in  its  success.  But  being  ig- 
norant of  the  merits  of  the  subject  he  had 
undertaken  to  discuss,  he,  of  course,  failed  to 
convince  any  one.  As  to  his  proving  his 
charges,  he  did  not  even  make  the  attempt. 
Even  his  friends  felt  that  the  effort  was  a  total 
failure,  and  he  sat  down  without  a  single  ex- 
pression of  applause  or  commendation  from 
those  present. 

Some  one  here  asked  him  what  he  proposed 
doing  in  the  matter. 


64  SCENES    IN   THE  WES'f. 

He  replied  that  every  one  might  do  as  he 
pleased,  but  as  to  himself  he  would  never  pay 
a  cent  toward  the  thing,  nor  ever  enter  one, 
nor  allow  any  of  his  family  to  be  taught  in 
such  a  shabby  concern  as  a  Sunday-school. 

A  slight  effort  at  cheering,  by  a  few  worth- 
less fellows,  was  made  at  this  boasting  decla- 
ration, and  he  felt  as  though  he  was  of  some 
importance,  and  took  his  seat  with  a  smile  of 
complacency. 

Mr.  Brown  was  deeply  wounded  by  the  un- 
charitable remarks  of  Mr.  Steele,  and  he  now 
arose  to  speak.  Every  eye  was  upon  him. 
He  commenced  by  referring  to  the  arguments 
advanced  by  the  missionary  in  favor  of  Sun- 
day-schools ;  speaking  of  the  positive  duty 
devolving  upon  all  Christians  to  teach  their 
children  the  Scriptures,  and  appealing  to  the 
judgment  of  the  whole  audience  whether  any 
one  of  the  statements  made  had  been  re- 
futed by  Mr.  Steele.  He  also  alluded  to  the 
great  utility    of   such    an    institution,     and 


MR.  Steele's  meeting.  65 

commented  upon  the  abuse  received  by  persons 
particularly  interested  in  the  cause ;  he  also 
quoted  from  Paul,  that  we  should  "  prove  all 
things,  and  hold  fast  that  which  is  good,"  and 
not  let  our  prejudices  condemn,  and  our  big- 
oiry  abuse  every  one  and  every  thing  that  is 
new. 

Although  there  was  little  expressed  sym- 
pathy with  Mr.  Steele  and  his  remarks,  it 
was  evident  that  quite  a  number  could  not 
overcome  their  prejudices,  and  stood  upon 
what  some  termed  "neutral  ground."  Unfor- 
tunately for  such  persons,  in  morality  and 
religion  there  can  be  no  neutral  ground. 
Christ  says,  "  He  that  is  not  for  me  is  against 
me. 

The  missionary  now  opened  his  satchel, 
and  taking  out  a  Sunday-school  book,  laid 
it  upon  the  table  ;  remarking,  that  instead  of 
trying  to  fleece  the  people  out  of  their  money, 
he  would  propose  to  give  them  fifty  volumes 
like  the  one  before  them,  if  they  would  make 


66  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

up  money  to  pay  for  fifty  more,  and  agree  to 
organize  a  Sunday-school. 

The  night  being  now  far  spent,  Mr.  Brown 
proposed  to  have  another  meeting  on  Sunday 
morning  at  lo  o'clock,  with  the  object  of 
organizing  a  Sunday-school.  This  was  agreed 
to,  and  the  people  separated. 

A  good  old  Christian,  by  the  name  of 
Law,  took  the  missionary  along  with  him.  He 
was  one  of  those  Avho  had  long  desired  a 
better  state  of  things  in  the  community.  The 
missionary  explained  to  him  all  that  he  wished 
to  know,  and  his  already  favorable  opinions  of 
the  Sunday-school  were  greatly  strengthened. 
From  Mr.  Law's  the  missionary  went  to  the 
next  neighbor,  who  was  one  of  those  who 
professed  neutrality  in  the  matter.  He  ap- 
peared to  fear  the  missionary,  and  did  not 
give  him  a  very  warm  reception.  He  said 
"  yes"  to  everything  the  missionary  said,  but 
was  really  in  doubt  as  to  whether  he  did  not 
mean  "no."  Convinced  against  his  will,  he  hid 


MR.  Steele's  meeting.  6'j 

his  convictions  by  making  a  doubtful  show 
for  the  other  side.  lie  was  left  neither  cold 
nor  hot;  and  his  hesitating  promise  that  he 
would  come  and  bring  his  children  to  the 
meeting,  was  scarcely  to  be  interpreted  at  all. 

Leaving  here,  the  missionary  went  to  Mr. 
Adams.  He  was  one  of  the  opposition ;  but 
he  was  a  frank  man,  and  possessed  a  super- 
ficial knowledge  of  the  Scriptures.  He  in- 
vited the  missionary  in,  intending  to  "give 
him  a  short  battle." 

After  some  preliminaries,  the  objector 
brought  forward  his  charges,  which  were 
about  the  same  as  those  advanced  by  Mr. 
Steele.  The  missionary  answered  these  one 
by  one,  and  so  plainly  showed  the  utility  of 
the  Sunday-school,  that  Mr,  Adams  would 
gladly  have  escaped  from  the  missionary's 
presence,  and  from  the  conviction  forced 
upon  his  mind  by  the  truth.  His  sense  of 
politeness  alone  prevented  him  from  leaving 
the  house. 


6S  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

As  he  was  a  professed  Christian,  and  indeed 
a  leading  member  of  the  church,  the  mis- 
sionary asked  the  privilege  of  praying  with 
the  family  ;  this,  upon  the  same  principle  of 
courtesy,  could  not  be  denied.  The  missionary 
had  done  all  that  he  could  in  his  weakness, 
and  he  now  laid  the  case  before  God ;  asking 
for  His  blessing,  His  spirit  and  convincing 
power.  What  arguments  failed  to  do,  sincere 
and  earnest  prayer  accomplished. 

Sunday-school  Agents,  Leaders  in  the 
Church,  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  do  you  ask 
God  in  earnest  prayer  to  bless  your  labors  ? 
Are  your  efforts  made  to  do  good,  or  to  be 
heard  and  seen  ?  In  the  fear  of  God ;  in 
view  of  the  final  judgment ;  examine  your- 
selves in  this  matter. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


MR.  MASON  AND  MR.   WILSON. 

\  NOTHER  clear,  calm  Sunday  morning 
dawned.  All  nature  seemed  to  be  at 
rest.  The  missionary  had  staid  over  night  with 
a  newly  married  couple.  He  found  them  kind 
and  social,  and  the  young  man  volunteered 
his  help  in  the  Sunday-school.  The  hour  of 
ten  came,  and  the  school-house  was  again  filled 
to  overflowing.  The  children  were  there  in 
full  force.  God  bless  the  children !  What  hopes 
filled  their  little  hearts!  Visions  of  books, 
papers  and  pictures  floated  before  their  eyes. 
The  missionary  was  called  upon  to  con- 
duct the  exercises.    After  singing  and  prayer, 

he  took  as  the  basis  of  a  few  remarks,  the 
6  69 


70  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

words:  "Jesus  saith  to  Simon  Peter,  Simon 
son  of  Jonas,  '  lovest  thou  me  more  than 
these  ?'  He  saith  unto  Him,  'yea.  Lord,  thou 
knowest  that  I  love  thee.'  He  saith  unto 
him,  'feed  my  lambs' "  What  he  said  was  to  the 
point,  and  disarmed  all  open  opposition.  A 
vote  was  taken  on  the  question :  "  Will  we  now 
organize  a  Sunday-school  ?"  This  was  carried 
by  a  handsome  majority.  When  the  chairman 
said :  "All  who  are  opposed  rise  to  your  feet," 
Mr.  Steele  and  a  few  others  did  so,  but  the 
odds  against  them  being  so  great,  they  were 
ashamed,  and  soon  left. 

A  superintendent  was  now  elected,  and 
happily  the  choice  fell  upon  Mr.  Brown.  The 
^  subordinate  officers  were  chosen  in  like  man- 
ner. A  collection  was  then  taken  up,  which 
proved  to  be  a  liberal  one. 

The  children  were  formed  into  classes,  and 
volunteer  teachers  appointed.  A  Bible  class 
for  adults  was  also  formed,  and  a  short  lesson 
assigned    for   the  following    Sunday.       The 


MR.    MASON   AND   MR.   WILSON.        7I 

doxology  was  sung,  and  the  people  were  dis- 
missed. Thus  the  .good  cause  seemed  to  be 
triumphing  over  opposition. 

A  man  who  Hved  in  an  adjoining  settle- 
ment had  come  to  this  meeting,  and  being 
favorably  impressed  with  the  appearance  and 
manner  of  the  missionary,  and  the  Sunday- 
school  movement,  he  invited  him  to  pay  a 
visit  to  the  settlement  in  which  he  lived,  and 
endeavor  to  organize  a  school  there. 

"  I  will  come,"  was  the  laconic  reply  to  the 
man  who  gave  the  invitation.  "  I  will  be 
there  by  Monday  evening." 

After  obtaining  proper  directions  for  find- 
ing the  place,  he  took  leave  of  this  friend  and 
returned  with  Mr.  Brown.  The  remainder  of 
the  afternoon  was  employed  in  giving  the  su- 
perintendent of  the  newly  organized  school 
all  needful  instructions  as  to  its  management, 
and  the  best  methods  of  teaching.  They  both 
felt  happy  over  the  prospects  of  the  enterprise. 

Again  we  find  the  devoted  laborer  in  the 


72  SCENES    IN   THE  WEST, 

vineyard  of  the  Lord,  acting  upon  his  Master's 
command.  He  is  now  on  his  way  to  the  neigh- 
boring settlement.  His  journey  lay  through 
wood  and  valley,  over  hills  and  prairies — 
the  latter,  however,  not  very  extensive.  Reach- 
ing the  settlement,  he,  in  due  time,  arrived  at 
the  house  of  his  friend,  where  everything  had 
been  made  ready  for  his  reception.  A  meal 
was  prepared  in  a  short  time,  and  the  mission- 
ary partook  of  it  with  a  decided  relish.  The 
lon<j  walk  and  the  cordial  welcome  tended 
greatly  to  sharpen  his  appetite. 

The  reader  will  pardon  a  slight  digression. 
We  have  followed  this  servant  of  God  through 
shadow  and  sunshine,  in  his  efforts  to  pro- 
mote the  interests  of  Christ's  kingdom.  Let  us 
compare  his  lot  with  that  of  many  ministers  of 
the  Gospel.  Alas  !  how  many  are  there  who, 
because  they  cannot  possess  life's  luxuries  as 
well  as  its  comforts,  abandon  a  field  in  which 
they  might  do  good  !  The  master  has  said  : 
"  He  that  taketh  not  his  cross  and  followeth 


MR.    MASON   AND   MR.   WILSON.   ,    73 

after  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me."  Coming  back 
to  our  missionary,  we  find  him  chatting  with 
the  children.  They  were  at  first  rather  shy,  but 
his  gentle,  winning  manner  soon  brought  them 
to  his  side,  and  in  a  very  short  time  they  were 
most  excellent  friends.  In  the  meantime  their 
father,  Mr.  Mason,  had  returned  (having  been 
necessarily  absent),  and  welcomed  the  mis- 
sionary to  his  home.  As  soon  as  the  chores 
were  done,  they  sat  down  by  a  bright  fire  and 
entered  into  conversation.  They  did  not  dis- 
cuss the  various  topics  of  the  day,  nor  dissect 
the  characters  of  their  neighbors  for  the  pur- 
pose of  whiling  the  time  away  ;  but  Christ's 
cause  was  their  theme. 

"Are  the  people  here  generally  in  favor  of 
Sunday-schools  ? "   inquired  the   missionary. 

"I  do  not  think  they  are,"  frankly  answered 
Mr.  Mason.     "  Few  of  them  care  much  about 
.  anything  religious." 

"  Have  you  preaching  or  prayer-meetings  ?  " 
continued  the  missionary, 


74  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

"Sometimes  prayer-meetings  are  started, 
but  they  die  out  directly.  Preaching  is  kept 
up  most  of  the  time  by  this,  that,  or  the  other 
denomination,  but  it  seems  to  amount  to  but 
little.  There  is  no  increase  or  life  about  the 
Church  ;  and  you  can  scarcely  tell  a  member 
from  a  non-professor.  Indeed,  Christianity  has 
fallen  into  disrepute,  and  Christ  and  His 
cause   are  brought  to  an  open  shame." 

"  How  sad  ! "  replied  the  missionary,  much 
moved. 

"  Yes,"  said  Mr.  Mason,  "  it  is  a  great  pity  ; 
but  there  seems  to  be  little  help  for  it.  Sev- 
eral have  tried  to  do  something,  but  all  to  no 
purpose.  Somehow  or  other  there  was  no 
life  in  it,  and  Satan,  with  a  few  rowdies,  de- 
feated every  attempt." 

"  Are  all  the  people  so  indifferent  ?"  asked 
the* missionary,  with  great  anxiety. 

"  I  do  not  know  that  they  are  ;  but  the 
exercises  were  so  cold  and  lifeless  that  the 
people  had  no  faith  in  them  ;  and  the  conduct 


MR.    MASON    AND    MR.    WILSON.        75 

of  many  of  the  members  was  so  bad,  that  their 
influence  rather  tended  to  drive  men  from  the 
Church  than  lead  them  to  the  Saviour." 

"What  are  the  morals  of  the  children,  as  a 
general  thing?" 

"  Of  course,  where  the  church  members  do 
not  perform  their  duty,  their  children  are  neg- 
lected; and  when  they  fail  to  do  right  we  can 
hardly  expect  anything  better  from  world- 
lings and  sinners.  Lying,  cursing,  fighting, 
disobedience  and  Sabbath-breaking  are  com- 
mon sins  among  the  children.  The  youth 
drink,  gamble  and  frolic,  and  some  are  guilty 
of  heinous  crimes.  But,  thank  God,"  added 
Mr.  Mason,  "there  are  some  noble  exceptions 
both  among  the  children  and  youth." 

"  We  must  pray  God  to  help  us  to  reform 
this  awful  state  of  morals  and  religion.  We 
must  labor  and  pray  until  a  great  revival  is 
brought  about  in  the  Church  and  among  the 
people,"  said  the  missionary,  earnestly. 

"  If  you  talk  of  a  revival  here  they  will  be 


'J^  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

down  on  you,  both  in  and  out  of  the  Church," 
said  the  deeply-interested  man. 

"  We  will  exercise  prudence,  and  call  our 
effort  by  a  more  acceptable  name;  we  will  call 
it  -3,  protracted  prayer-meeting','  added  the  mis- 
sionary, smiling. 

"  That  will  be  equally  obnoxious;  the  profes- 
sors generally  say,  '  we  pay  the  preacher  to 
do  the  praying  for  us,  and  that  is  enough ;' 
and  the  irreligious,  of  course,  have  little  inter- 
est in  such  things." 

"  What  do  you  think  they  would  say  to  a 
temperance  meeting  ? "  queried  the  mis- 
sionary, 

"  That  will  bring  down  upon  you  all  the 
loafers,  tipplers  and  rumsellers;  indeed  nearly 
all  the  church  mem^jers  '  take  some,'  and  they 
would  all  unite  in  opposition  to  you,"  sadly 
rejoined  Mr.  Mason. 

"  All  these  things  must  be  overcome.  And 
if  we  are  faithful  in  using  the  means  God  has 


MR,    MASON   AND    MR.    WILSON, 


77 


given  us,  the  work  will  be  accomplished.     I 

do  not  despair,"  added  the  missionary. 

"  May  God  help  us  to  do  our  duty ! "  said 

Mr.  Mason,  as  he  laid  the  family  Bible  on  the 

stand  for  evening  devotion. 
7* 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

MISSIONARY  VISITS. 

''  T^HE  missionary  started  on  his  visiting  tour 
-^  among  the  people  of  the  settlement  on 
Tuesday  morning.  Thefirsthouseto  which  he 
came  indicated  a  good  share  of  worldly  com- 
fort. He  met  the  owner  repairing  the  gar- 
den-gate, and  accosted  him  with,  "  Good 
morning."  The  man  looked  at  him  as  if 
hesitating  whether  or  not  to  reply,  and  said, 
"  How  d'ye  do."  The  missionary,  still  un- 
daunted, made  some  remarks  of  a  common- 
place nature,  which  were  answered  in  mono- 
syllables. As  the  missionary  felt  that  he  had 
no  time  to  waste,  he  came  at  once  to  the  sub- 

iect  of  his  mission. 

78 


MISSIONARY    VISITS,  79 

"  So  you're  the  fellow  getting  up  Sunday - 
schools.  I  thought  you  were  by  your  looks  ; 
but  let  me  tell  you  at  once  that '  you're  bark- 
ing up  the  wrong  tree  here,'  and  the  sooner 
you  '  play  quits '  the  better,  I  have  no  time  to 
fool  away  in  talking  about  such  nonsense." 

"  But  pray  tell  what  objections  you  can 
have  to  teaching  the  young  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures ?"  mildly  interposed  the  missionary. 

"  I  just  now  told  you  that  I  had  no  time  to 
waste  in  talking  to  idlers,  and  I  expect  you  to 
take  the  hint,'  sharply  retorted  the  unreason- 
able man. 

Finding  that  there  was  no  chance  at  present 

to  do  anything  with  him,  the  missionary  bid 
him  "  Good-day,"  and  started.  The  man  re- 
plied with  a  triumphant  "  Good-bye,  sir,"  at 
the  same  time  casting  toward  him  a  sneering 
look. 

As  the  missionary  Avas  passing  the  barn,  he 
met  a  little  girl,  to  whom  he  gave  a  card  for 
herself  and  another  for  the  family. 


8o  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

On  crossing  a  little  stream  he  met  a  young 
lady  on  horseback;  to  her  he  handed  a  tract, 
entitled,  "  Are  you  Saved?  "  A  slight  tremor 
was  visible  when  she  read  this  ;  the  question 
demanded  an  answer.  Seeing  how  the  title 
affected  her,  he  prayed  God  to  bless  the  words 
to  her  salvation. 

He  did  not  go  far  until  he  came  to  a  place 
where  two  roads   crossed  at  right  angles  ;  so 

he  sat  down  a  moment  to  rest  and  consider 
which  road  to  take.  Whilst  sitting,  a  man 
with  a  wagon  and  a  fine  span  of  horses  came 
along.  His  countenance  bespoke  a  kind 
heart,  and  the  missionary  rose  to  salute  him. 
He  responded  with  a  hearty  "  Good-day,"  and 
an  invitation  to  take  a  ride,  if  the  stranger  were 
going  his  way.  The  missionary  had  to  confess 
that  he  did  not  know  where  he  was  going, 
and  unfolded  his  object  in  visiting  the  settle- 
ment. 

The  man  said  that  he  had  heard  of  a  Sun- 
day-school being  organized  at  Clear  Creek, 


Missionary  visits.  Si 

but  he  was  not  up  when  the  meeting  was  held, 
and  knew  but  little  of  the  nature  of  the  insti- 
tution. Still  he  would  be  willing  to  "  give  the 
thing  a  trial,"  if  it  did  not  cost  too  much. 

"  As  to  the  cost,"  said  the  missionary,  "that 
will  depend  upon  the  number  of  books,  papers, 
maps  and  other  helps  you  get.  But  I  will 
agree  to  donate  to  your  school,  if  you  estab- 
lish one,  half  of  a  good  library." 

This  opened  the  eyes  of  the  man  to  their 
utmost  extent,  and  he  exclaimed  : 

"  Why,  you  don't  say  !  That  don't  look 
like  speculating  or  swindling  people  out 
of  their  money,  as  they  say  of  you  around 
here.  I  never  did  believe  the  half  I  heard  ;  it 
'didn't  seem  reasonable  to  me.  But,"  con- 
tinued he,  "  I  don't  believe  that  we  can  make 
it  go.  Everybody  I  have  talked  to  is  down 
on  it." 

"  Would  you  be  willing  to  assist  me,  and 
bring  your  family  long  enough  to  test  the 
matter?"  inquired  the  missionary 


82  SCENES    IN   THE    WEST. 

"  I'll  do  my  best,  if  things  are  as  you  say.  I 
believe  the  children  ought  to  be  instructed  in 
the  Bible  the  moment  they  are  capable  of  un- 
derstanding it." 

"  Are  there  any  others  that  you  think  would 
join  us  in  the  work  ?" 

The  stranger,   Mr.   Wilson,  hesitated,  and 

then  said  ;  "  People  here  seem  to  be  dead  in 

regard  to   anything  of  this  kind.     Whether 

we  succeed  or  not,  a  general   fight  over  the 

question  will,  if  it  can  possibly  stir  them  up, 

be  of  some  use.     Make  the  appointment,  and 

I'll  stir  them  out." 

"  When  shall  it  be  ?  "  inquired  the  mis- 
sionary. 

"  Put  it  on  Friday  night ;  there  is  spelling- 
school  in  our  school-house  to-morrow  night, 
and  I'll  go  down  and  have  it  given  out,  and 
the  whole  neighborhood  will  know  it,"  said 
Mr.  Wilson,  with  great  animation. 

"  Providence  permitting,  I  will  be  there," 
said  the  missionary. 


MISSION  ARY   VISITS.  83 

"  And  give  us  a  speech,  telling  all  about 
the  Sunday-school,"  suggested  Mr.  Wilson. 

As  the  missionary  was  about  to  offer  his 
hand  and  say  good-bye,  Mr.  Wilson  said  : 

"  Won't  you  go  with  me  and  stay  until  Fri- 
day ?  I  can  accommodate  you." 

"  I  thank  you,  but  I  will  not  visit  the  neigh- 
borhood until  Friday,  and  then  I  will  come  to 
your  house  and  we  will  go  to  the  meeting  to- 
gether," replied  the  missionary. 

"  Well,  perhaps  that  will  be  best,"  rejoined 
Mr.  Wilson,  and  passed  on.  Calling  back,  he 
said  :  "  Take  the  road  up  the  hill ;  it  will  lead 
you  through  the  most  thickly  settled  portion 
of  this  neighborhood."  The  missionary  nod- 
ded his  head  and  took  the  road  as  directed. 
He  met  with  various  successes  in  his  itiner- 
ancy until  Thursday  evening,  when  he  was 
shamefully  treated  by  a  man  known  as  'Squire 
Hunt,  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  settle- 
ment. The  missionary  bore  the  insults  meekly, 
but  upheld  the  cause  of  Christ  manfully. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


OPPOSITION. 


A  CCORDING  to  promise,  the  missionary 
^  ^  was  at  Mr.  Wilson's  house,  and  he,  to- 
gether with  the  family,  went  to  the  school- 
house.  The  words  of  his  text  were,  "  Train 
up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when 
he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it."  Prov^ 
xxii.  6.  He  approached  his  subject  with 
caution,  for  the  people  before  him  were  rest- 
less and  excited  ;  but  he  gradually  unfolded 
the  solemn  truth  contained  in  the  text.  He 
addressed  himself  to  the  parents,  especially  to 
the  mothers.  His  apparent  sincerity  and 
great  earnestness  overcame  the  prejudices  of 
many,  but  still  a  large  majority  were  opposed, 

or  cared  little  about  the  matter. 

84 


OPPOSITION.  85 

The  'Squire  got  up  and  denounced  the 
speaker,  Sunday-schools  and  Temperance 
societies.  He  was  frequently  cheered;  and 
those  who  had  been  won  by  the  earnest  elo- 
quence of  the  speaker,  were  now  carried 
away  by  the  majority,  and  were  inclined  to 
"follow  the  multitude  to  do  evil."  The 
'Squire  then  called  upon  the  people  to  decide 
by  a  vote,  whether  they  would  have  a  Sunday- 
school  or  not,  shouting  out:  "All  who  are  in 
favor  of  a  Sunday-school  here,  rise  to  your 
feet."  Mr.  Wilson  and  Mr.  Mason  sprang  to 
their  feet  like  heroes,  their  intrepidity  en- 
couraging some  of  the  timid  and  wavering, 
who,  together  with  their  children,  made  quite 
a  respectable  vote.  After  these  were  again 
seated,  all  who  were  opposed  to  a  Sunday- 
school  were  called  upon  to  rise.  Instantly 
several  of  the  most  bitter  opposers,  who  were 
waiting  for  the  word,  were  up;  others,  soon 
followed,  while  the  'Squire  was  urging  the 

fearful   and  lukewarm    with,    "  Up !    up !    I 
8 


86  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

know  you  are  opposed  ;  show  your  colors  !" 
and  in  this  way  succeeded  in  getting  many 
to  rise,  who  did  not  really  intend  to  have 
anything  to  do  with  the  matter.  He  then 
declared  the  majority  opposed,  and  in  triumph 
took  his  seat. 

Mr.  Mason  arose  and  asked  the  majority 
to  concede  to  those  who  desired  it  the  priv- 
ilege of  holding  Sunday-school  in  the  school- 
house  undisturbed. 

This  very  reasonable  request  was  opposed 
by  the  'Squire ;  but  upon  the  vote  being  taken, 
the  privilege  was  granted.  This  was  some- 
thing gained,  and  the  missionary  was  thank- 
ful for  it,  although  he  and  his  little  band 
were  openly  subjected  to  sneers  and  abuse. 
But  they  had  the  comforting  assurance  that 
"  all  things  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  God." 

On  Saturday  morning,  the  missionary  start- 
ed for  Clear  Creek  Settlement.  On  his  way 
he  met  a  little  boy  and  two  httle  girls. 


OPPOSITION.  87 

"How  do  you  do,  my  young  friends?" 
kindly  began  the  missionary. 

They  all  smiled  pleasantly,  but  did  not  say 
anything. 

"  How  old  are  you,  my  son  ?"  continued 
he,  addressing  the  boy. 

"  Ten,  next  Christmas  ;  my  birthday  comes 
day  before  Christmas,"  ingenuously  answered 
the  boy. 

"  These  little  girls  are  your  sisters,  I 
suppose  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"   responded  the  boy. 

"  Can  you  read  ?" 

"Yes,  sir,  I  can  read  in  the  'Introduction,' 
very  well ;  my  sister  Jane  can  read  too  ;  and 
little  Betty  can  spell  and  read  easy  words," 
answered  the  boy,  with  some  feelings  of 
pride. 

"  Did  you  ever  go  to  Sunday-school  ?"  in- 
quired the  missionary. 

''No,  sir  P'  answered  the  boy,  emphatically 
"  We  don't  go  to  school  on  Sundays  ;  we  go 


88  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

on  week-days."  ^This  direct  answer  caused 
the  missionary  to  smile  ;  he  continued,  how- 
ever, with  the  question,  "Would  you  like  to, 
if  there  were  a  Sunday-school  ?" 

"  No,  sir !"  again  replied  the  boy.  "  We 
play  ball,  pitch  horse-shoes,  or  go  a  fishing 
on  Sunday,  and  I  like  that  better  than  going 
to  school." 

"  Don't  you  think  it  is  wrong  to  do  such 
things  on  Sunday  ?" 

"  No,  sir,"  again  responded  the  boy,  "  father 
and  all  the  neighbors  do  that  on  Sunday." 

The  parents  then  were  the  examples ;  and 
the  children  followed.  How  many  parents 
thus  unwittingly  take  their  children  by  the 
hand  and  lead  them  down  to  death ! 

"  You  all  go  to  meeting  sometimes,  don't 
you  ?"  continued  the  missionary. 

"  Yes,  sir,  once  in  a  while." 

"  Don't  the  preacher  talk  against  such 
things  ?" 

"Sometimes;  but  nobody  cares.     Some  go 


OPPOSITION.  89 

to  the  grocery  and  pitch  horse-shoes  for 
whisky ;  and  some  go  to  the  tavern  to  play 
checkers  or  such,  for  a  dram,  or  for  fun,"  re- 
phed  the  boy. 

"  Don't  the  preacher  talk  against  drinking 
liquor  and  lying  about  at  the  grocery  on 
Sundays?"  seriously  inquired  the  missionary. 

"  No,  sir,  he  likes  it  himself y 

"  It  is  a  bad  thing  to  drink  whisky,"  said 
the  missionary. 

"Yes,  sir,"  quickly  responded  the  boy; 
"last  night  they  had  a  spree  at  the  grocery, 
and  Bill  Jones  liken'd  to've  killed  Tom 
Miller  with  his  knife;  and  Ace  Ross  knocked 
Old  Butt's  eye  out.  Father  says  they  have 
a  law  suit  to-day." 

"  What    a    pity ! "    said    the    missionary, 

shaking  his   head.     "  Do  you   live  far   from 

here?" 

"  About  a  mile,"  answered  the  boy. 

The   missionary    then    gave  each  of   the 

children  a  card,  and  explained  to  them,  as 
8* 


90  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST, 

far  as  they  were  capable  of  understanding, 
what  a  Sunday-school  was  like;  and  they 
then  said  that  they  would  like  to  go  to  such 
a  school.  He  told  them  of  an  appointment 
for  Sunday  afternoon  at  3  o'clock,  in  the 
school-house  near  Mr.  Wilson's,  and  invited 
them  to  come  and  bring  their  parents  along; 
he  then  said  "  Good-bye,"  and  left  them. 

Having  detained  himself  longer  than  he 
supposed,  he  was  compelled  to  hurry  on,  as 
he  had  quite  a  distance  to  go  before  he  would 
reach  Mr.  Brown's.  As  he  was  passing 
through  a  lane,  after  coming  within  the 
bounds  of  Clear  Creek  Settlement,  he  found 
two  men  lying  in  a  fence-corner,  drunk  !  He 
tried  to  rouse  them,  but  failed  in  so  doinsr. 
for  they  were  past  consciousness.  Continuing 
on,  he  soon  came  to  the  grocery.  Happily  for 
the  missionary,  the  crowd  within  was  all 
excitement  over  a  "  drinking  game  ;"  that  is, 
several  engaged  in  playing  cards  for  a  treat  of 
the  whole  company.     Before  he  had  passed 


OPPOSITION, 


91 


out  of  hearing,  a  great  shout  and  uproar  at 
this  den  of  sin,  told  him  that  the  game  was 
up,  and  the  treat  was  being  given.  In  his 
heart  he  then  resolved  that  a  Temperance 
society  should  be  established  in  that  place, 
and  he  prayed  God  to  help  him  in  the  under- 
taking. After  arriving  at  Mr.  Brown's,  he 
could  not  but  compare  the  revolting  scenes 
he  had  left  behind  him,  with  the  pleasant, 
social  intercourse  he  was  now  enjoying. 


CHAPTER  X. 

SUNDA  Y-SCHO OL  OR GANIZED—L  OCAL 
PREACHER. 

\  T  the  appointed  time,  on  the  Holy  morn- 
-^  ing,  the  missionary  and  Mr.  Brown  were 
in  the  Sunday-school,  ready  for  action.  A 
number  had  already  collected,  and  after  the 
opening  exercises,  the  missionary  delivered  a 
short  and  impressive  address,  in  which  he  ex- 
horted the  teachers  to  aim  at  the  conversion 
of  those  placed  under  their  instruction,  to  be 
always  punctual,  to  set  a  godly  example,  and, 
finally,  not  to  grow  weary  in  well-doing,  but 
continue  the  work  through  evil  as  well  as 
good  report ;  and  reminded  them  of  the 
reward  on  the  final  day  of  reckoning. 

Everything  passed  off  well ;  the  children 

92 


SUNDAY-SCHOOL  ORGANIZED.        93 

were  pleased,  and  the  parents  greatly  encour- 
aged. The  opposition  could  see  nothing  to 
condemn,  but  Mr.  Steele  and  a  few  others 
laughed  at  the  "  simple  thing,"  and  hooted  at 
the  idea  of  sending  their  children. 

According  to  arrangement,  Mr.  Mason 
came  with  his  horses  and  wagon  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  the  missionary  to  the  other 
settlement.  It  had  been  announced  to  the 
people  that  an  effort  to  organize  a  Sunday- 
school  would  be  made  on  the  afternoon  of 
this  day.  By  3  o'clock  many  had  come 
together;  some  for  the  purpose  of  taking  part 
in  the  enterprise,  and  others  merely  to  look 
on.  The  school  was  started,  though  under 
less  auspicious  circumstances  than  the  one  at 
Clear  Creek  ;  yet  it  was  a  beginning.  The 
result  was  in  God's  hands. 

During  the  week  that  followed,  the  mis- 
sionary visited  the  families  of  the  settlement, 
urging  the  parents  either  to  take  or  send 
their  children  to  the  Sunday-school.     His 


94  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

kindness  and  persuasive  address  won  him 
more  friends  than  promises.  The  force  of 
public  opinion  against  the  school  made  many- 
fear  to  take  part  in  it ;  the  most  of  the 
people,  however/  began  to  treat  him  with  re- 
spect. 

On  Thursday  evening  he  again  preached. 
He  was  prepared  for  the  occasion,  not  by  a 
written  sermon  with  rounded  paragraphs  and 
beautifully-finished  sentences,  but  by  con- 
stant, fervent  prayer,  and  thoughtful  medita- 
tion. He  had  contemplated  the  state  of  the 
people,  and  the  weight  of  immortal  souls  lay 
heavily  upon  his  heart;  and,  above  all,  he  re- 
membered his  commission  and  his  great 
responsibility,  for  the  Almighty  had  said  :  "  If 
the  watchman  see  the  sword  come  and  blow  not 
the  trumpet,  and  the  people  are  not  warned  ; 
if  the  sword  come  and  take  any  person  from 
among  them,  he  is  taken  away  in  his  in- 
iquity ;  but  his  blood  will  I  require  at  the 
watchman's  hand." 


SUNDAY-SCHOOL  ORGANIZED.         95 

The  opponents  found  that  they  had  an 
earnest  man  to  contend  with  ;  a  man  with 
the  whole  armor  on,  and  one  who  could 
wield  the  "  sword  of  the  spirit"  with  power  ; 
that  he  was  not  only  "  mighty  in  the  Scrip- 
tures," but  "  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;"  and 
they  saw  that  if  they  did  not  immediately 
"  do  something,"  he  would  be  "master  of  the 
situation." 

So  they  went  to  work,  as  is  usual  in  such 
cases,  to  misrepresent  his  language  and  mis- 
construe his  meaning;  to  change  the  truth 
into  falsehood,  by  adding,  distorting  and  de- 
tracting. His  character,  too,  was  assailed,  and 
scandalous  stories  invented  and  circulated 
in  order  to  ruin  him  ;  but  he  heeded  them 
not ;  for  the  Saviour  had  said  :  "  Blessed  are 
ye  when  men  shall  revile  you  and  persecute 
you,  and  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you 
falsely  for  my  sake  ;  rejoice  and  be  exceed- 
ing   glad,    for    great    is     your     reward     in 

Heaven." 
9 


g6  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

Whilst  tlie  missionary  was  still  in  this 
neighborhood,  he  was  called  to  the  bedside 
of  a  dying  woman.  Now  that  the  hour  of  dis- 
solution was  rapidly  approaching,  she  began 
to  have  misgivings  about  her  fitness  for  Heaven. 
She  had  been  in  the  Church  for  a  number  of 
years,  but  was  not  a  lively  stone  in  the  build- 
ing. After  conversation  and  prayer  with  the 
missionary,  her  faith  was  strengthened,  and 
she  felt  ready  to  go  at  the  Master's  call. 
Thus  did  this  servant  of  God  do  good  upon 
every  possible  occasion.  Having  learned 
that  a  local  preacher,  who  lived  a  few  miles 
distant,  was  opposed  to  Sunday-schools,  he 
determined  to  call  upon  him  and  talk  over  the 
matter. 

The  missionary,  upon  reaching  the  home 
of  the  preacher,  found  him  ready  to  start  out 
to  fill  an  appointment  at  a  place  about  six 
miles  distant.  He  treated  the  missionary 
coldly,  and  boastingly  told  him  that  he  and 
his  people  had  gotten  along  for  many  years 


SUNDAY-SCHOOL  ORGANIZED.        97 

without  Sunday-schools,  and  he  guessed  they 
were  as  good  as  those  who  had  them,  and 
reckoned  they  could  still  make  out  without 
his  services ;  and  to  tell  those  who  sent  him 
"  to  attend  to  their  own  business  and  let 
other  people's  alone."  Not  waiting  for  a 
reply,  the  preacher  gave  his  horse  a  cut  with 
the  whip,  and  was  off.  There  was  conse- 
quently no  alternative  left  the  missionary  but 
to  retrace  his  steps.  This  he  did,  and  attended 
to  the  duties  set  apart  for  the  day. 

Notwithstanding  opposition,  the  work  went 
on;  and  the  friends    of  the    Sunday-school 
became    daily    more    respected    by  its  ene- 
mies. 
9 


CHAPTER  XL 


MR.  KERR  AND  HIS  FAMIL  Y. 

UPON  one  occasion,  as  the  missionary  was 
passing  through  the  western  portion  of 
Clear  Creek  Settlement,  he  called  at  a  house 
whose  surroundings  seemed  familiar.  The 
man  of  the  house,  too,  appeared  to  him  as 
one  he  had  seen  before,  but  he  could  not 
remember  exactly  where. 

After  some  general  remarks,  he  said  to 
the  man,  "  I  almost  fancy  that  I  have  seen 
you  before  to-day." 

"  I  suppose  you  have,"  the  man   replied, 

with  considerable   agitation ;  and  continued, 

"Do   you    not   remember   some    time   ago, 

standing  at  a  gate  and  requesting  a  farmer  to 

98 


MR.    KERR  AND   HIS   FAMILY.  99 

allow  you  to  stay  all  night,  and  being  refus- 
ed, and  that  there  was  another  man  there 
beside  the  owner  of  the  place  ?" 

The  missionary  said  he  did. 

And  you  remember,  also,  that  you  gave  a 
little  boy  and  girl  some  picture-cards  and 
tracts?" 

"  I  do,"  said  the  missionary. 

"And  one  for  each  of  the  men  at  the 
barn?" 

"  Yes,  I  well  remember  that." 

"  I  was  that  man,"  said  he,  somewhat  con- 
fused, "and  when  Mr.  Steele  refused  to  let 
you  stay,  I,  like  a  coward,  approved  of  it. 
Don't  you  remember?" 

"Yes,  I  believe  you  did,"  gently  replied 
the  missionary. 

"Yes,  I  did  that  very  wicked  thing,  and 
now  ask  your  pardon.  I  have  had  no  rest 
since,  on  account  of  it,"  said  the  man  with 
emotion. 

"  I  have  long  since  forgiven  you,"  calmly 


lOO  SCENES    IN   THE  WEST. 

replied  the  missionary,  "Such  things  do  not 
move  me ;  I  count  them  as  nothing." 

"  If  you  had  suffered  what  I  did  from  them, 
you  would  count  them  a  good  deal.  I  heard 
you  preach  last  Sunday,  and  if  I  had  not  been 
ashamed,  I  would  have  made  a  public  con- 
fession of  my  wickedness.  I  thank  God  that 
you  have  come  this  way,"  continued  the 
humbled  man  with  faltering  voice,  and  stretch- 
ing out  his  hand  for  reconciliation  and  for- 
giveness. 

Joyfully  the  servant  of  Christ  gave  Mr. 
Kerr  (whom  our  readers  must  have  recog- 
nized) his  hand,  and  their  friendship  was 
sealed. 

Mrs.  Kerr,  who  had  been  absent  at  the 
time  of  the  missionary's  arrival,  now  came  in. 
She  recognized  him  at  once,  and  welcomed 
him  with  unfeigned  kindness. 

"  Where  in  the  world  have  you  been  since 
you  were  here  last  month  ? "  inquired  the 
free-spoken  woman.     "  I  wondered  and  won- 


MR.    KERR   AND    HIS    FAMILY.         lOl 

dered,"  she  continued,  "  what  had  become  of 
you  in  the  big  storm.  I  expected  nothing 
else  than  to  hear  that  you  got  killed  in  that 
dreadful  rain.  It  was  awful !  I  declare  I 
thought  our  house  would  go  !  " 

"  Oh,"  pleasantly  replied  the  missionary, 
"  I  put  up  without  '  leave  or  license,'  at  a  hut 
out  on  Walnut  Creek,  where  I  was  taken 
care  of" 

"  Why,  nobody  lives  out  there  that  I  know 
of,"  said  Mr.  Kerr.  "  Let  me  see  ;  was  it 
about  due  west  from  where  you  left  us  ?  " 

"  Very  nearly,  I  think,"  said  the  mission- 
ary, at  the  same  time  smiling. 

"  Well,  sir,  I  know  of  but  one  family  that 
ever  lived  in  that  swampy,  sickly,  mosquito 
hole,  and  two  or  three  of  them  died  there 
and  the  rest  moved  away  long  ago,"  replied 
Mr.  Kerr,  instantly  adding,  "  What  is  the 
man's  name  that  lives  there  ?" 

"Indeed  I  cannot  give  the  name,"  answered 
the  missionary,  with  such  a  look  of  mischief 
9* 


102  SCENES    IN   THE  WEST. 

that  Mrs.  Kerr  declared  that  he  was  only- 
joking,  "  It  was  at  the  place  you  mention, 
no  doubt,  that  I  staid.  There  were  two  graves 
on  a  hill  near  the  house,  which  was  in  a  very 
dilapidated  condition,  and  the  yard  was  over- 
grown with  weeds  and  briars  ;  indeed,  every- 
thing presented  the  appearance  of  having  been 
long  deserted." 

"  That  was  Mr,  Kelly's  home  once,  but  the 
mosquitoes  and  chills  drove  him  out.  It  was 
well  he  left,  or  the  whole  family  would  soon 
have  perished  there.  It  is  a  poor  country 
compared  with  this, "  explained  Mr.  Kerr. 

"  But  you  said  that  you  were  well  taken 
care  of;  I'd  like  to  know  who  took  care  of 
you,"  said  Mrs,  Kerr,  with  a  mischievous 
twinkle  in  her  eyes. 

"  The  Lord  took  care  of  me,"  he  replied. 

"  Oh,  yes,  I  did  not  think  of  that;"  said  she. 
"Did  you  keep  dry  in  the  old  hut  in  that 
dreadful  storm  ? "  she  added ;  and  in  the 
same  breath  continued,  "  Didn't  you  think  the 


MR.   KERR   AND    HIS   FAMILY.  I03 

whole   thing    would  blow  down   over  your 
head  ?  " 

"  I  was  pretty  well  sheltered  from  the  wind 
and  rain,  but  I  really  did  think  more  than 
once  that  all  would  go  down." 

"T  was  sure  our  house  was  gone,"  ear- 
nestly resumed  Mrs.  Kerr,  "  and  I  expected 
nothing  else  than  the  death  of  all  of  us." 

"  When  we  are  ready,"  he  replied,  "  death 
is  no  evil." 

This  practical  reply  rather  embarrassed 
her,  and  for  a  moment  she  was  at  a  loss  to 
know  what  to  say  next ;  so  he  continued  : 

"  To  crush  the  body  is  a  matter  of  little 
consequence  ;  but  the  soul,  the  immortal  be- 
ing that  inhabits  this  house  of  clay,  is  of  im- 
mense value.  Could  we  fully  realize  the  fact 
that  nothing  dies  but  the  clay  we  inhabit,  we 
would  not  dread  the  change." 

Mrs.  Kerr  listened  attentively,  but  made  no 
reply. 

"Will  you  be  so  kind  as  to  give  us  an 


104  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

account  of  your  troubles  on    that    dreadful 
night?"  asked  Mr.  Kerr. 

"  Certainly,"  said  he,  and  he  related  to 
them  the  long  list  of  trials,  dangers  and  pri- 
vations through  which  he  had  passed. 

Tears  more  than  once  filled  the  eyes  of 
the  eager  listeners.  "  And  now,"  said  Mr. 
Kerr,  after  the  missionary  had  finished,  "I 
must  give  you  some  of  my  experience  since 
we  parted.  If  you  remember  one  of  the  cards 
you  gave  the  children,  read,  '  And  these  shall 
go  away  into  everlasting  punishment,  but  the 
righteous  into  life  eternal ; '  that  fell  into  my 
hands.  When  I  read  those  words  the  irre- 
sistible conviction  struck  me  that  /  would  be 
one  of  ^  tliese^  and  a  fearful  looking  for  judg- 
ment to  come  took  hold  of  me.  All  the  way 
home  I  seemed  to  hear  the  words,  'And  these 
shall  go*  away  into  everlasting  punishment.' 
I  wished  again  and  again  that  I  had  only 
taken  you  with  me  ;  or  at  least  have  defended 
you  against  the  unreasonableness  of  Mr.  Steele. 


MR.    KERR   AND    HIS    FAMILY.        IO5 

But  that  was  now  too  late,  and  I  groaned 
under  the  lashes  of  my  guilty  conscience. 
Upon  reaching  home,  my  wife  told  me  that 
you  had  been  here  and  prayed  with  the  family. 
I  suffered  greatly,  and  was  at  length  com- 
pelled to  '  own  up '  to  my  wife,  who  soon 
discovered  that  all  was  not  right  with  me — 
and  she  strongly  condemned  my  action."  Mr. 
Kerr  did  not  cease  speaking  until  he  had 
made  a  full  confession  of  the  humiliation  he 
had  experienced  from  a  guilty  conscience. 

The  missionary  could  not  but  be  moved  at 
the  penitent  recital ;  yet  he  rejoiced  that  Mr. 
Kerr  was  at  last  led  to  the  true  and  only 
source  of  comfort. 

After  uniting  in  prayer  with  the  family,  the 
missionary  inquired  if  they  had  been  to  the 
Sunday-school. 

"Oh  yes,"  heartily  replied  Mr.  Kerr,  "we 
were  all  over  last  Sunday,  and  had  a  delight- 
ful time." 

"No  doubt;  indeed,  no  one  with    proper 


I06  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

feelings,  and  a  regard  for  the  eternal  interests 
of  his  children  or  the  children  of  others,  can 
help  being  benefited  and  highly  delighted  in 
a  well-ordered  Sunday-school,"  said  the  good 
man  with  emphasis ;  adding,  "  have  the  books 
and  papers  for  which  they  sent,  come  ?  " 

"They  have,"  rejoined  Mr.  Kerr,  and  I 
verily  thought  the  whole  school  would  go 
wild  when  the  box  was  opened.  Indeed,  I 
was  myself  considerably  excited;  and  when 
each  one  received  a  book  and  a  paper,  I  really 
could  not  refrain  from  shedding  tears,  in  wit- 
nessing the  uncontrollable  delight  that  filled 
every  heart;  and  I  reproached  myself  with 
bitterness  for  having  been  so  cowardly  as  not 
to  defend  this  noble  institution,  when  you  and 
it  were  assailed  by  Mr.  Steele.  To-day,  I 
thank  God  for  the  Sunday-school !  and  I  know 
that  every  family  that  attends  it  thanks  God 
for  it." 

"May  God,  the  Divine  Author  of  this 
institution,  foster  and  bless  it  to  the  salvation 


MR.    KERR   AND    HIS    FAMILY.  I07 

of  all  who  attend  it,  or  are  within  its  holy- 
influence  ! "  said  the  delighted  missionary ; 
adding,  "how  is  that  gentleman  who  was  with 
you  at  the  gate  getting  along  ?  " 

"  Oh,  pretty  well ;  but  he  doesn't  take  any- 
stock  in  Sunday-schools — he  is  very  angry  at 
me  for  attending,  and  won't  speak  to  me." 

"  We  must  pray  God  to  give  us  grace  to 
bear  with  him,  and  try  to  gain  him  to  our 
confidence,"  said  the  missionary. 

The  day  was  passing,  and  the  good  man 
would  have  gone  on,  but  Mr.  Kerr  and  his 
wife  would  not  hear  to  it,  insisting  that  he 
should  remain,  at  least  over  night ;  so  he  con- 
sented to  remain  until  morning. 

By  the  side  of  the  looking-glass,  in  the 
room  which  he  occupied,  he  found  hanging 
a  framed  card,  containing  the  text,  "And  these 
shall  go  away  into  everlasting  punishment, 
but  the  righteous  into  life  eternal."  Under- 
neath was  written  in  a  plain  hand,  "  Saved  by- 
grace,  through  this  little  card.   James  Kerr." 


I08  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

Here  was  a  Secret.  Mr.  Kerr  attributed  his 
conversion  to  the  teaching  of  this  silent  moni- 
tor. What  a  momentous  result  can  hang 
upon  an  insignificant  cause !  It  is  said,  that 
"  the  obstruction  of  a  straw  at  the  fountain- 
head,  may  change  the  channel  of  a  mighty 
river."  Never  should  we  despise  the  day  of 
small  things. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  TEMPERANCE  CAUSE. 

'T^HE  missionary,  after  bidding  farewell  to 
^  the  kind  friends  with  whom  he  had  spent 
the  night,  again  went  on  his  way,  "Seeking 
the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel."  He 
had  not  gone  far  before  he  met  two  children, 
who  proved  to  be  Mr.  Steele's.  Upon  entering 
into  conversation  with  them,  he  found  that 
they  remembered  him.  Their  bright,  intelli- 
gent answers  to  his  questions,  led  him  to 
regret  more  deeply  that  they  were  kept  from 
the  influence  of  the  Sunday-school.  The 
innate  kindness  of  heart  manifested  by  these 
children  made  him  feel  that,  if  properly 
trained,  they  would  become  useful  members 

JO  loq 


no  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

of  society  and  the  church ;  so,  with  a  view  to 
using  all  possible  influence  in  their  favor,  we 
again  find  him  an  unwelcome  visitor  on  the 
farm  of  Mr.  Steele. 

The  farmer  was  at  the  time  unloading  wood, 
and  scarcely  noticed  the  missionary;  the  latter 
soon  broached  the  subject  occupying  his 
thoughts,  by  saying, 

"  My  friend,  could  you  not  consent  to  take 
your  children  to  Sunday-school  once,  on 
trial  ?" 

"iVi?  sir!"  he  roared;  "and  I  don't  want 
you  to  bother  me  any  more  about  it;"  and 
continued,  "  work  like  I  do,  and  let  your 
betters  alone." 

"  Well  then,"  said  the  missionary,  "  if  you 
will  not  go  yourself,  will  you  not  permit  your 
children  to  go  ?  I  know  that  the  school  would 
be  a  great  benefit  to  them,  and  " 

"  I  don't  want  to  hear  any  more  of  your 
nonsense — just '  git,'  you  lazy  loafer,"  retorted 
the  angry  man. 


THE    TEMPERANCE    CAUSE.  Ill 

The  missionary  having  failed  to  accomplish 
the  object  of  his  visit,  left  with  feelings  of 
sadness  ;  he  went  on  his  way,  however,  doing 
with  his  might  whatsoever  his  hand  found  to 
do,  and  he  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the 
schools  increasing  in  numbers  and  influence. 
This  increase  was  secured  only  by  hard  work 
— the  various  difficulties  attending  all  move- 
ments aiming  at  changing  fixed  customs  had 
to  be  overcome.  One  by  one,  these  zverc 
overcome ;  and  although  many  opposed  the 
work,  and  others  were  indifferent  and  careless, 
most  of  the  best  men  and  women  of  the 
settlements  were  in  favor  of  the  schools.  Nor 
were  they  afraid  to  give  their  money  in  sup- 
port of  the  good  cause,  nor  unwilling  to 
sacrifice  ease  and  pleasure,  if  necessary  ;  for 
they  well  knew  that  even  in  this  world  they 
would  receive  tenfold  reward,  and  in  the 
world  to  come,  everlasting  life. 

Parents,  come  with  your  children  to  the 
Sunday-school ;  it  is  the  nursery  of  the  Lord, 


112  SCENES   IN   THE   WEST. 

in  which  plants  are  reared  for  the  garden  of 
Heaven — the  Paradise  of  God! 

Young  man,  wend  your  way  to  the  Bible- 
class,  and  thereby  shun  the  temptation  of  the 
Sabbath-breaker  and  the  snares  of  the  trans- 
gressor !  And  you,  young  woman,  blooming 
in  all  the  loveliness  of  life's  early  dream, 
shun  the  society  of  those  who  mock  at 
religion,  and  the  teachings  of  the  Holy  Word, 
and  fly  for  your  life  to  the  place  where  prayer 
is  wont  to  be  made — where  the  better  quali- 
ties of  your  nature  will  be  fostered,  and  your 
heart  taught  to  love  the  Saviour ! 

The  missionary  felt  that  the  time  had  now 
come  for  him  to  attempt  to  establish  a  Tem- 
perance Society  among  these  people  for  whom 
he  had  been  laboring.  This  was  a  hazardous 
undertaking,  where  the  habits  of  the  people 
were  so  firmly  fixed  in  favor  of  using  intoxi- 
cating liquors  as  a  common  beverage.  But  - 
a  meeting  for  that  purpose  was  appointed 
and  the  whole  country  was  aroused.     Those 


THE   TEMPERANCE   CAUSE.  II3 

favoring  the  cause,  though  few  in  number, 
were  wilHng  to  take  the  responsibiHty,  and 
the  missionary  promised  to  do  his  best ;  he 
was  aware  that  those  of  the  opposition  were 
powerful,  having  on  their  side  appetite,  self- 
interest,  custom  ^Vl^  public  opinion  ;  but  he  was 
not  in  the  least  dismayed  ;  he  knew  in  whom 
he  had  believed  ;  and  although  the  gates  of 
Hell  should  oppose,  yet  they  could  not  pre- 
vail. 

The  time  for  the  meeting  having  arrived, 
after  singing  a  hymn  and  offering  a  prayer, 
the  missionary  called  the  attention  of  his 
large  audience  to  the  following  words : 

"Who  hath  woe?  who  hath  sorrow?  who 
hath  contention  ?  who  hath  babbling  ?  who 
hath  wounds  without  cause  ?  who  hath  red- 
ness of  eyes  ?  They  that  tarry  long  at  the 
wine  !  They  that  go  to  seek  mixed  wine ! 
Look  not  thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is  red, 
when  it  giveth  its  color   in  the  cup,  when  it 

moveth  itself  aright ;  at  last  it  biteth  like  a 
10* 


114  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

serpent  and  stingeth  like  an  adder!"  Prov. 
xxiii.  29-32. 

He  then  demonstrated  by  example  and 
facts,  the  truth  of  the  answer  given  to  these 
questions.  Taking  up  the  last  part  of  his 
subject  in  the  worcls,  "At  last  it  biteth,"  &c., 
he  gave  a  most  fearful  description  of  the 
effects  of  spirituous  liquors  upon  the  human 
system  and  the  immortal  soul — depicting  with 
great  force  the  awful  condition  of  the  poor 
rum-enslaved,  soul-degraded  drunkard,  both 
in  body  and  mind.  He  held  up  to  their  gaze 
the  emaciated  form  of  a  heart-broken  wife, 
and  the  half- famished  images  of  her  little  ones. 

He  afso  stated  that  intoxicating  liquors 
were  the  parent  of  every  conceivable  sin,  and 
had  extended  the  catalogue  of  crimes  until 
language  could  scarcely  furnish  a  name  for 
the  atrocious  iniquities — that  they  filled  the 
jails  and  poor-houses,  at  the  expense  of  the 
industrious  and  goo5,  and  also  furnished 
subjects  for  the  gibbet. 


THE     TEMPERANCE   CAUSE.         II5 

He  alluded  also  to  the  groceries,  declaring 
them  the  prolific  schools  in  which  the  young 
were  taught  the  rudiments  of  sin,  in  idleness, 
vulgarity,  profanity  and  drinking — thus  pre- 
paring the  way  for  infamy  and  crime,  and 
daily  training  the  mind  for  the  service  of 
Satan. 

He  then  enforced  the  command  in  the  text, 
not  even  to  look  upon  it — saying  that  the 
apostle  had  commanded  to  "Abstain  from  all 
appearance  of  evil." 

He  also  declared  that  there  was  no  neutral 
ground  between  virtue  and  vice — between 
supporting  and  opposing  this  source  of  evil ; 
that  we  must  be  either  for  or  against  it. 

He  concluded  with  an  appeal  to  the  people 
to  save  themselves  and  those  around  them 
from  the  fangs  of  the  serpent  and  the  sting 
of  the  adder,  and  to  organize  at  once  an 
army  to  fight  unto  death  this  monster,  In- 
temperance. 

A  pledge  was  written  and  laid  upon  the 


Il6  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

desk ;  after  it  was  read  and  a  few  words  of 
explanation  given,  all  who  wished  to  join  the 
society  were  requested  to  rise  and  give  their 
names.  Quite  a  number  of  men,  women  and 
children  instantly  responded  to  the  call ; 
among  them  were  several  tipplers  and  two 
hardened  drunkards,  whilst  the  moralist  and 
the  moderate  drinker  refused  to  aid  in  the 
work  of  reformation.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
that  these  persons  were  "  stumbling-blocks 
in  the  way  of  sinners;"  and  the  position 
taken  by  them  sealed  the  fate  of  more  than 
one  poor  soul.  And  there  were  also  elders 
and  deacons,  class-leaders  and  gray-headed 
Christians,  unwilling  to  deny  themselves  of 
the  "  lusts  of  the  flesh,"  but  went  with  the 
"customs  and  maxims  of  the  world" — taking 
their  morning  dram,  their  favorite  bitters,  and 
with  themselves,  training  their  families  in  the 
way  leading  to  drunkenness  and  death ! 

After  the  people  had  been  dismissed,  those 
who  had  given  their  names  signed  the  pledge 


THE   TEMPERANCE   CAUSE.  11/ 

with  their  own  hands,  and  organized  a  society, 
by  electing  officers  and  framing  a  constitu- 
tion for  the  government  and  permanent 
efficiency  of  the  same.  Upwards  of  sixty 
put  their  names  to  the  "  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence "  of  the  tyrant,  "  King  Alcohol !  " 

This  was  a  glorious  beginning — and  the 
wives  and  children  of  those  tipplers  and 
drunkards  who  joined,  shed  tears  of  joy,  and 
their  hearts  overflowed  with  thankfulness  to 
God  and  His  messenger. 


II 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  MISSIONARY'S  DEPARTURE. 

''T^HE  missionary  was  loth  to  depart  from 

this  interesting  field  of  labor,  but  he  was 

called,  and  must  obey.    He  "threw  his  mantle" 

upon  the  shoulders  of  a  noble  young  man, 

whose  name  was  Truman ;  he  was  a  fluent 

speaker,  and  an  enthusiast   in   whatever  he 

believed  to  be  right ;  a  giant  in  courage  and 

bodily  strength,  and  above  all,  a  conscientious 

Christian  ;  to  him  was  consigned  the  care  of 

this  noble  enterprise. 

The  rum-sellers,  with  their  dupes,  were  now 

aroused  to  a  full  sense  of  the  power  arrayed 

against  them ;  they  justified  their  conduct,  by 

holding  up  that  of  the  ministers  and  leading 

ii8 


THE  MISSIONARY  S  DEPARTURE.     II9 

men  in  the  Church,  and  the  latter  would 
quote  Paul's  advice  to  Timothy,  where  he 
says,  "  Drink  no  longer  water,  but  use  a  little 
wine  for  thy  stomach's  sake,  and  thine  often 
infirmities."     Tim.  v.  23. 

"Here,"  they  boastingly  said,  "wine  is 
commanded  as  a  drink;"  and  dared  a  refu- 
tation. 

But  Truman  showed  them  that  this  passage 
did  not  only  not  prove  that  wine  should  be 
used  as  a  common  drink,  but  proved  that  it 
should  only  be  used  as  a  medicine.  He 
showed  them,  too,  that  Paul  was  a  Temperance 
Lecturer,  and  not  afraid  to  reprove  rulers 
before  whom  he  "  reasoned  of  righteousness, 
temperatice,  and  judgment  to  come." 

The  argument  that  Christ  turned  ivater 
into  wine  was  also  brought  forward;  the 
reply  to  this  was,  that  there  was  no  evidence 
that  the  miraculous  transformation  contained 
a  single  particle  of  intoxicating  matter; 
whilst  every  rational  supposition,  based  upon 


I20  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

the  holy  character  and  pure  doctrines  of  the 
Redeemer,  would  most  emphatically  declare 
that  there  was  not. 

Such  was  the  acute  and  powerful  reasoning 
of  this  young  man,  that  minister  and  deacon 
were  silenced,  if  not  convinced.  Mr.  Truman 
having  been  himself  snatched  from  the  very 
vortex  of  ruin,  his  experience  in  the  dens  of 
infamy,  and  knowledge  of  the  workings  of 
the  whole  traffic,  enabled  him  to  bring  the 
truth  home  to  the  hearts  of  his  hearers  in  a 
very  effective  manner. 

As  the  faithful  missionary  could  delay  no 
longer,  he  appointed  the  time  to  preach  his 
farewell  sermons  in  the  two  settlements.  The 
first  meeting  was  to  be  held  in  the  Clear 
Creek  school-house  immediately  after  Sunday- 
school.  The  day  was  pleasant  and  the  school 
well  attended;  the  exercises  of  the  same 
having  been  completed,  order  was  called,  that 
all  might  have  the  benefit  of  the  missionary's 
parting  advice.     He  made  a  short  address. 


THE  MISSIONARY   S    DEPARTURE.    121 

and  then  desired  each  child  to  come  to  him, 
that  he  might  shake  hands  and  bestow  a 
trifling  gift  by  which  he  might  be  remem- 
bered. He  would  hve  in  the  memories  of  all, 
however,  without  anything  of  this  kind.  A 
half  hour  after  the  dismissal  of  the  Sunday- 
school,  the  people  had  assembled  to  hear  the 
"  farewell  sermon."  The  text  was,  "And  now, 
brethren,  I  commend  you  to  God  and  to  the 
word  of  His  grace,  which  is  able  to  build 
you  up,  and  give  you  an  inheritance  among 
all  them  which  are  sanctified."  Acts  xx.  32. 
The  sermon  which  followed  was  adapted,  in 
every  respect,  to  the  occasion. 

As  all  earthly  ties  must  sooner  or  later  be 
sundered,  this  shepherd  and  his  flock  were 
compelled  to  part.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
the  separation  was   sorrowful  on  both  sides. 

After  leaving  Clear  Creek  Settlement,  the 
missionary  filled  his  appointment  at  the  other 
place;  and  the  parting  which  took  place 
here,  was  but  a  repetition  of  the  first  one. 


122 


SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 


We  now  find  him  on  his  way  to  a  work 
among  strangers  in  a  strange  land :  he  knew 
what  would  probably  befall  him,  but  he  had 
counted  the  cost,  and,  like  Paul,  was  willing 
to  endure  hardships  as  a  good  soldier. 

Here,  for  the  present,  we  will  leave  this 
noble,  earnest  and  devout  Christian. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

WORKING    OF    THE  SABBATH-SCHOOL  AND 
TEMPERANCE  SOCIETY. 

TT  will  now  be  our  purpose  to  follow  some 
-*-  of  the  results  of  the  missionary's  labors 
among  these  people.  In  our  present  narra- 
tive we  can  notice  but  comparatively  few 
incidents  among  the  many  interesting  ones 
that  transpired,  and  bring  before  our  reader 
but  few  of  the  characters  connected  with  the 
development  of  the  various  plans. 

In  addition  to  there  being  two  Sunday- 
schools  and  one  Temperance  Society  firmly 
established,the  Christian  Church  under  various 
names  was  most  effectually  aroused — many 
of  its  members  being  abundantly  blest  and 

their  spiritual  strength  renewed  ;  backsliders 

123 


124  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

were  reclaimed,  and  sinners  awakened  and 
converted :  there  were  also  prayer-meetings 
held  in  the  different  houses  among  the  people. 
•  A  general  contest,  however,  was  kept  up 
between  those  opposed  to  these  institutions, 
and  their  defenders.  As  soon  as  it  was 
generally  known  that  the  missionary  had 
left,  the  rum-sellers  and  their  adherents 
became  bold  in  their  opposition  ;  they  ap- 
peared to  think  that,  if  the  shepherd  had  gone, 
the  sheep  would  be  scattered.  Even  some 
of  the  ministers  would  not  come  out  boldly 
on  the  side  of  this  reformation. 

Well  did  Isaiah  prophesy,  "  For  the  leaders 
of  this  people  cause  them  to  err ;  and  they 
that  are  led  of  them  are  destroyed.  There- 
fore the  Lord  shall  have  no  joy  in  their  young 
men,  neither  have  mercy  on  their  fatherless 
and  widows :  for  every  one  is  a  hypocrite, 
and  an  evil  doer,  and  every  mouth  speakcth 
folly. 

The  Temperance  Cause  met  with  the  most 


THE  TEMPERANCE  WORK.  125 

opposition  ;  and  some  who  stood  faithfully  by 
the  Sunday-school  could  not  give  up  old 
habits ;  although  they  did  not  particularly 
oppose  the  Cause,  their  support  was  weak 
and  doubtful.  Those  who  took  no  interest 
in  the  Sunday-school  were  decidedly  against 
temperance.  Thus  the  people  became  more 
and  more  divided — and  the  stinging  truths  of 
Mr.  Truman  seemed  to  set  everything  on 
fire  ;  and  the  Saviour's  prediction  respecting 
a  house  being  divided  agamst  itself,  seemed 
to  be  literally  fulfilled.  Every  demonstration 
of  truth  was  met  with  increased  hostility ; 
and,  like  Herod  and  Pilate,  even  enemies  were 
made  friends  in  condemning  Christ.  This, 
however,  only  drove  the  faithful  few  nearer 
to  the  Rock  of  Ages,  which  was  their  "strong- 
hold in  the  day  of  trouble;"  it  made  them 
"search  the  Scriptures"  more,  and  more 
vigilant  in  prayer;  relying  upon  God  for 
help.      Hence  they  maintained  their  ground, 

and  in  time  were  able  to  make  inroads  into 
II* 


126  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

the  enemy's  country,  taking  captives  and 
plucking  brands  from  the  eternal  burnings. 
Those  of  the  opposition,  in  order  to  fully 
carry  out  their  principles,  were  driven  to  in- 
dorse and  defend  the  lowest  morality,  and 
the  coldest  and  most  formal  type  of  Christi- 
anity— and  were  compelled  to  yield  to  the 
caprices  of  the  ungodly  by  excusing  their 
faults. 

In  order  more  fully  to  impress  the  truth 
upon  the  heart,  we  will  now  give  a  brief 
narrative  of  the  characters  and  lives  of  two 
families— representatives  of  the  parties  formed 
through  the  labors  of  the  missionary.  The 
circumstances  bringing  him  to  our  notice, 
also  introduce  us  to  the  family  of  Mr.  Steele 
— the  other  family  is  that  of  Mr.  Brown,  of 
the  same  neighborhood.  Through  the  former 
will  be  illustrated  the  effects  of  opposing 
religious  training  as  carried  on  in  the  Sunday- 
school  ;  and  through  the  latter  will  be  shown 
the    inestimable    blessings     resulting    from 


THE  TEMPERANCE  WORK.  12/ 

such  training,  and  the  value  of  vital  godli- 
ness. 

Mr.  Steele,  as  we  are  already  aware,  had 
two  children,  George  and  Mary — also  a  wife, 
who  was  naturally  a  most  excellent  person  ; 
but  the  influence  of  her  cold-hearted  husband 
was  not  without  its  effect  upon  her  life.  He 
claimed  to  be  a  church  member,  but  he  had 
only  a  "name  to  live."  After  years  of  con- 
stant association  with  such  a  person,  we  need 
not  wonder  that  she  quietly  submitted  to  him. 

Mr.  Brown  and  family,  also  consisting  of  a 
wife  and  two  children,  had  always  been  on 
terms  of  intimacy  with  Mr.  Steele's  family. 
On  Saturday  afternoon, previous  to  the  open- 
ing of  the  Sunday-school  at  Clear  Creek 
Settlement,  George  and  Mary  Steele  went  to 
Mr.  Brown's  on  an  errand,  and  received 
permission  to  spend  an  hour  with  their  friends, 
Henry  and  Eliza;  the  Sunday-school  was 
the  all-absorbing  topic  of  conversation,  and 
although  George  and  Mary  knew  that  their 


128  SCENES   IN  THE  WEST. 

father  was  opposed  to  anything  of  the  kind, 
they  still  hoped  that  they  would  be  allowed 
to  go  on  the  following  day.  No  sooner  had 
they  reached  home,  than  they  began  to  tell 
their  mother,  in  a  very  excited  manner,  about 
the  Sunday-school.  Just  as  their  excitement 
was  about  at  its  height,  their  father  entered 
the  room,  and  in  a  very  gruff  manner  asked, 
what  "all  this  fuss"  was  about.  As  the  song 
of  the  robin  ceases  'at  the  crack  of  the  rifle, 
so  suddenly  ceased  the  story  and  the  joy  of 
these  children.  They  looked  to  their  mother 
for  help ;  she  had  no  hope  of  a  patient 
hearing,  so  she  merely  said  : 

"  The  children  were  telling  about  the 
Sunday-school,  and  " 

"  Sunday-school !  yes,  they  were  over 
there  at  Brown's,  and  have  had  their  heads 
filled  with  nonsense — have  they  ?  " 

The  mother's  lips  were  sealed.  The 
humility  and  silence  that  greeted  him  only 
vexed  him  the  more;  so,  seeing  no  opposition 


THE    TEMPERANCE    WORK.  I29 

offered,  he  commenced  again  on  the  aggres- 
sive. Addressing  his  wife  in  tones  of  haughty- 
reproach,  he  said: 

"  I'd  hke  to  know  whether  you  and  these 
httle  brats  are  going  to  side  with  every  whin- 
ing loafer  that  comes  about?  " 

Then  turning  to  the  children,  who  were 
crying,  he  said: 

"  I'd  like  to  know  what  you  are  bawling 
about  ?  If  you  don't  soon  shut  up  you'll  wish 
you  had." 

The  children  again  looked  at  their  mother ; 
but  as  she  was  still  silent,  George  stammered 
out,  "We  want  to  go  to  Sunday-school, 
father." 

Little  Mary,  with  her  eyes  sparkling  in 
tears,  now  ventured  with, 

"  Do,  father,  let  us  go— won't  you,  father  ?" 

This  was  said  with  such  a  beseeching 
voice  and  hopeful  look,  that  for  the  instant 
the  storm  was  lulled ;  and  had  the  mother 
joined  her  children  in  their  petition,  perhaps  a 


130  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST. 

limited  privilege  might  have  been  obtained  for 
them.  But  she  failed  1  The  precious  moment 
went  by  unimproved,  and  all  was  lost ! 

The  father  would  not  listen  to  what  his 
better  feelings  suggested ;  so  he  told  the 
children  decidedly  that  they  should  not  go  to 
the  Sunday-school,  and  if  they  did  not  stop 
crying  he  would  punish  them  severely. 
After  he  left  the  house,  their  mother  en- 
deavored to  console  them;  but  they  felt  that 
they  had  been  unjustly  treated,  and  wished 
to  know  why  they  could  not  go  to  Sunday- 
school.  Their  mother  did  not  attempt  to  give 
the  reason ;  for  she,  too,  felt  that  they  had 
been  wronged. 

Supper-time  came,  but  the  children's  grief 
had  taken  their  appetite,  so  their  mother  ex- 
cused them  from  coming  to  the  table.  Their 
father,  finding  that  they  were  not  coming,  and 
knowing  the  reason,  whipped  them  severely 
and  forced  them  to  come ;  they  sat  down  and 
tried  to  eat,  but  every  mouthful  seemed  to 


THE    TEMPERANCE    WORK.  I3I 

choke  them.  The  mother's  eyes  were  dim 
with  tears,  and  the  meal  was  eaten  in  silence. 
The  father's  face  was  flushed,  and  he  hurried 
through  his  supper,  being  anxious  to  get 
away  from  the  presence  of  those  whom  he 
had  wronged.  When  he  had  gone  out,  the 
mother  again  tried  to  soothe  the  children, 
but  their  father's  absence  only  gave  them  the 
liberty  to  sob  aloud ;  their  mother,  fearing 
that  he  might  return  and  hear  them,  bade 
them  go  out  to  the  barn  and  hunt  the  eggs, 
and  be  good  children. 

"We  want  to  go  to  Sunday-school  and 
learn  to  be  good,"  said  they.  Every  word  of 
this  went  straight  to  the  heart  of  the  mother. 
The  children  went  and  did  what  their  mother 
had  desired ;  as  they  staid  out  longer  than 
she  thought  necessary,  she  became  troubled 
and  started  in  search  of  them.  Hearing 
George's  voice,  she  listened  and  found  that 
he  was  praying,  and  Mary  was  repeating  the 
words  after  him.     A  consciousness  of  having 


132  SCENES    IN    THE   WEST, 

failed  in  the  performance  of  her  duty  filled 
her  heart  with  anguish,  and  she  went  into  the 
barn  and  joined  them  in  prayer;  but  her 
faith  was  weak— she  feared  her  husband  more 
than  God.  She  resolved,  however,  to  make 
the  attempt  to  plead  in  behalf  of  the  child- 
ren ;  going  into  the  house,  she  found  her 
husband  trying  to  find  something  to  in- 
terest him  in  an  old  newspaper.  Her  heart 
beat  between  hope  and  fear;  taking  a  seat  she 
commenced  her  petition. 

"  Is  your  head  turned  too  ?"  he  sneeringly 
asked.  "  I  guess,  the  next  thing  I  know, 
you'll  have  an  agency  and  the  pretty  loafer 
lounging  around  here.  But  let  him  come," 
he  continued;  "just  let  soap-stick  come  ;  I'll 
kick  him  out  of  my  house  so  quick,  that  he 
won't  know  what  hurt  him." 

The  wife's  heart  was  too  full  for  utterance, 
so  she  said  nothing.  Construing  her  silence 
into  contempt,  he  resumed  fiercely. 

"  Yo2i've  been  poking  this  stuff  into  the 


THE    TEMPERANCE    WORK.  I33 

children's  heads  yourself,  have  you  ?  I'll  beat 

it  out  of  them,  mind  you  !  "  said  he,  shaking 

his  fist  in  the  air.     The  mother's   resolution 

was  gone,  and  she  meekly  replied,  "  No,  I 

have  not  said  anything."     She  yielded  all  for 

the  sake  of  appeasing  her  husband.     After 

berating  the   missionary  and  making   some 

threats  about  "  this  fuss  in  the  family,"  Mr. 

Steele  went  to  bed. 

Had  this  father  but  consented  to  "prove 

all  things,"  as  the  apostle  had  recommended, 

all  of  the  unhappiness   now  existing   in   his 

family  might  have  been  avoided. 
12 


CHAPTER   XV. 


GEORGE  AND  MARY 


npHE  Sunday-school  having  been  success- 
fully  organized,  Mr.  Steele  was  extremely 
vexed,  and  he  withdrew  himself  as  far  as 
possible  from  those  who  went  with  the  mis- 
sionary in  the  movement.  He  was,  besides, 
ambitious  and  proud — he  could  not  bear  to 
think  that  "a  traveling  loafer,"  as  he  termed 
the  missionary,  should  overcome  him  ;  and, 
being  considered  the  champion  of  the  oppo- 
sition, he  mingled  with  the  wicked,  courting 
their  praise,  and  bringing  himself  to  their 
level.  He  was  fighting  in  vain,  for  it  was 
against  God. 

A  few  more  weeks  passed  away,  and  it 

134 


GEORGE  AND   MARY.  I35 

having  been  quite  a  while  since  George  and 
Mary  had  seen  their  friends,  they  asked  their 
mother  if  they  might  make  Henry  and  Ehza 
a  visit ;  she  referred  them  to  their  father  for 
permission.  George  persuaded  Mary  to  ask, 
for  he  knew  that  his  Httle  sister's  winning 
manner  would  be  more  likely  to  accomplish 
the  object ;  watching  her  opportunity,  she 
climbed  upon  her  father's  knee,  and  putting 
her  arms  around  his  neck,  kissed  him ;  she 
had  done  so  before,  but  not  for  some  time. 
The  caress  pleased  him,  and  he  returned  the 
kiss.  Not  thinking  of  anything  in  particular, 
he  said,  "Well,  what  else  do  you  want,  my 
httle  pet  ?  " 

"You  wouldn't   give  me  what  I  wanted, 
.  anyhow,  would  you  father?" 

"Certainly,  anything  you  ask;"  and  he 
gave  her  another  kiss,  adding,  "  Well,  pet, 
what  is  it?" 

"  George  and  I  would  so  much  like  to  go 
see  Henry  and  Eliza — may  we  ?" 


136  SCENES    IN   THE   WEST. 

For  a  moment  he  was  in  doubt,  the  nature 
of  the  request  being  so  unexpected;  but  for 
once  he  allowed  his  better  nature  to  have 
sway,  and  consented  on  condition  that  they 
would  come  home  early.  They  were  soon 
on  their  way,  as  happy  as  the  birds  on  a 
sunny  morning. 

Henry  and  Eliza  were  delighted  to  see 
them,  and  entertained  them  by  giving  a  mi- 
nute account  of  all  that  transpired  in  the 
Sunday-school;  they  also  gave  them  some  of 
the  cards  and  papers  which  they  had  received 
there. 

George  and  Mary  kept  their  promise  to 
"  come  home  early."  Whilst  they  were 
showing  their  mother  the  Sunday-school 
cards  and  papers,  their  father  entered  the 
room.  He  became  very  angry  upon  being  thus 
reminded  of  the  subject  so  disagreeable  to 
him;  so,  seizing  the  children's  gifts,  he  tore 
them  into  pieces  and  then  threw  them  out  the 
window,   and    declared    that    the    children 


GEORGE  AND   MARY.  I37 

should  never  go  to  Mr.  Brown's  again.  The 
result  of  such  a  course  on  his  part,  was  that 
the  hearts  of  his  children  were  hardened 
against  him ;  they  felt  that  they  had  been  un- 
kindly and  unjustly  treated,  and  they  very 
soon  became  irritable  and  peevish  in  disposi- 
tion. Their  father  soon  discovered  the  change, 
and  knowing  the  cause,  he  determined  to  re- 
store them  to  their  usual  spirits  by  affording 
them  amusement;  so  he  induced  them  to  seek 
new  playmates,  among  those  who  did  not  at- 
tend Sunday-school.  They  obeyed  ;  but,  at 
first,  such  company  was  exceedingly  dis- 
agreeable to  them,  for  the  children  with 
whom  they  associated  were  profane  and  vul- 
gar and  did  not  regard  God's  Holy  day. 
They  had  been  taught  by  their  mother  that 
such  conduct  was  wrong ;  but  the  father  now 
ruled  with  a  rod  of  iron,  and  all  were  com- 
pelled to  bend  to  his  will. 

The  downward  course  is  rapid  ;  it  was  but 
a  few  short  years  before  George  and  Mary, 

12* 


138  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

surrounded  by  such  influence,  could  mock 
with  the  mocker,  at  the  prayer-meeting  and 
Sunday-school. 

The  father,  annoyed  by  the  success  of  the 
good  cause,  and  a  consciousness  of  wrong- 
doing, sought  relief  in  drink — hence  he  was 
thrown  into  the  society  of  the  worthless,  vul- 
gar drunkards,  who  lie  around  the  haunts  of 
vice.  Insensibly,  he  was  drifting  down  to  ir- 
retrievable ruin ! 

He  never  expected  to  be  a  drunkard — not 
he!  No,  he  could  drink  when  he  pleased, 
and  let  it  alone  when  he  pleased.  He 
would  show  "  that  crazy  Truman,"  that 
a  man  could  govern  his  appetite,  and  that  he 
did  not  speak  the  truth  when  he  said  that 
confirmed  whisky-drinkers  would  fill  drunk- 
ards' graves. 

He  found  out  to  his  own  sorrow  who  spoke 
the  truth;  for  the  time  came  when  he  was  com- 
pelled to  give  up  his  comfortable  home  to 
satisfy   the   tavern-keeper's  demands.      His 


GEORGE   AND    MARY. 


139 


wife,  through  disappointment  and  abuse,  lost 
her  health  and  died  broken-hearted,  before 
her  husband  and  children  had  run  their  whole 
course  of  sin. 


^^A^ 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

MR.  BROWN'S  FAMILY— MR.  STEELE. 

'IT  WHILST  the  Steele  family  was  descend- 
ing deeper  and  deeper  into  sin  and 
degradation,  the  family  of  Mr.  Brown  was 
advancing  in  virtue,  honor  and  holiness. 
Henry  and  Eliza  were  faithful  members  of 
Christ's  visible  Church — they  had  been  taught 
to  love  the  Saviour  in  the  Sunday-school ; 
they  were  now  teachers  in  the  same,  and  by 
their  love  and  practical  instructions,  their 
humble  piety  and  fervent  prayers,  they  led 
more  than  one  to  the  Fountain  of  Life. 

Henry,  like  his  father,  was  a  noble-looking 
man,  of  very  prepossessing  appearance.     His 

taste  for  the  beautiful  and  true  increased  with 

140 


MR.    BROWN   S    FAMILY.  I4I 

his  years,  and  his  knowledge  of  many  sub- 
jects became  extensive  and  thorough — thus 
was  he  fitted  for  almost  any  position  of  honor 
and  trust. 

Eliza's  naturally  amiable  disposition  was 
developed  to  advantage  under  Christian  influ- 
ence, and  she  married  a  man  whose  high 
moral  and  religious  excellence  made  him 
eminently  worthy  of  her.  Living  in  antici- 
pation of  joys  to  come,  she  could  not  help 
being  happy. 

Passing  over  a  few  more  years,  we  will 
look,  for  a  time,  at  the  little  Mary  of  other 
days.  In  a  forlorn  old  hut,  far  away  from 
any  other  house,  we  find  her  crouched  upon 
the  floor,  shivering  with  the  cold,  and  in 
almost  a  starving  condition ;  her  father  had 
left  her  some  weeks  previous,  under  the  pre- 
tence that  he  was  going  in  search  of  work  ; 
her  brother  had  long  since  gone  from  the 
place,  with  little  or  no  purpose  in  view ;  she 
knew   nothing   of  his   whereabouts,   and  it 


142  SCENES    IN    THE    WEST. 

seemed  to  her  that  she  was  now  utterly  for- 
saken, for  she  had  received  no  word  from 
her  father  during  his  absence.  She  wished 
that  she  might  die — not  thinking  or  caring 
what  the  consequence  would  be.  As  she  sat 
thus,  musing  over  her  sad  lot.  Providence 
seemed  to  direct  the  steps  of  Mr.  Brown, 
whose  business  called  him  to  that  part  of  the 
country,  to  the  old  hut ;  his  heart  was 
touched  at  the  sight  of  her  sufferings,  and  it 
was  not  long  before  he  made  arrangements 
for  her  removal  to  his  own  house;  and  he 
and  his  wife  exerted  themselves  to  win  this 
wandering  child  to  the  straight  and  narrow 
path.  Although  it  took  a  long  time  for  her 
to  break  up  her  old  habits,  she  at  length 
became  a  follower  of  the  meek  and  lowly 
Jesus.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  were  father  and 
mother  to  her,  and  she  endeavored  in  every 
possible  way  to  show  her  gratitude  for  kind- 
ness so  freely  bestowed. 

Time  passed  on,  and  Mary,  not  hearing 


MR.   STEELE  S   DEATH.  I43 

anything  of  her  father,  grieved  for  him  as 
dead;  although  she  never  knew  to  any 
certainty  that  such  was  the  case. 

On  a  clear,  cold  mOTning,  about  a  year 
after  Mr.  Steele  had  left  his  daughter,  as  a 
party  of  hunters  were  crossing  a  prairie 
many  miles  distant  from  Clear  Creek  Settle- 
ment, they  found  the  body  of  a  man  who 
had  eviaently  been  frozen  to  death.  Any 
one  could  see  at  a  glance  that  he  had  been  a 
drinking  character,  and  most  probably  under 
the  influence  of  liquor  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  The  hunters  took  the  body  to  the 
nearest  settlement,  and  made  inquiry  as  to 
who  it  might  be  ;  none  knew  excepting  a 
grocer,  who  came  forward  and  stated  that 
this  man  had  chopped  wood  for  him  on  the 
day  previous,  and,  according  to  his  own 
request,  took  his  pay  in  whisky ;  after  this 
no  one  remembered  having  seen  him,  but  it 
was  supposed  by  those  present  at  this  time, 
that  he  had  become  intoxicated,  and  after 


144  SCENES    IN  THE  WEST. 

wandering  oh  for  some  time,  had  fallen  down 
in  a  drunken  stupor,  from  which  he  never 
awoke  in  this  world.  Whether  or  not  the 
grocer,  who  had  beA  an  actor  in  this  tragedy, 
had  any  compunctions  of  conscience  at  this 
time,  we  are  unable  to  say;  he  interested 
himself,  however,  in  procuring  a  rough  box 
in  which  the  remains  of  Mr.  Steele  (for  it  was 
he),  were  placed,  and  buried  by  those  who 
never  had  known  him  in  life.  Thus  ended 
the  career  of  one  who  depended  upon  his 
own  strength  to  resist  temptation,  and  set 
himself  up  in  opposition  to  the  means  em- 
ployed for  the  furtherance  of  God's  cause. 
This  may  be  an  extreme  case,  but  it  is  not 
the  first  instance  in  which  God  has  visited 
retribution  in  this  world. 


CHAPTER  XVII.      . 

THE  MISSIONARY  AGAIN  VISITS  THE  WEST. 

TN  that  beautiful  season  of  the  year  in  which 
the  missionary  first  visited  the  West,  he 
was  again  on  his  way  thither,  but  not  with 
his  pilgrim-staff — that  was  now  laid  aside. 
He  could  no  longer  travel  hundreds  of  miles 
on  foot  as  he  once  did — he  was  now  in  a 
carriage  with  the  venerable  Mr.  Mason, 

He  had  written  to  his  people  in  the  West, 
promising  to  visit  them  if  they  would  send  a 
conveyance  for  him,  as  he  was  no  longer  able 
to  walk,  and  was  too  poor  to  go  by  stage. 
Yes,  he  was  poor  in  this  world's  goods,  but 
rich  in  Christ — an  heir  of  Heaven ! 

No  sooner  was  his  letter  received,  than  it 
«3  H5 


146  SCENES   IN  THE  WEST. 

was  read  in  the  churches  and  Sunday- 
schools,  and  a  hberal  collection  was  soon 
taken  up,  to  insure  every  convenience  neces- 
sary for  his  accommodation ;  and  Mr.  Mason 
volunteered  to  bring  him  out.  The  journey 
proved  to  be  a  great  advantage  to  his  failing 
health. 

The  appearance  of  things  was  very  much 
changed  to  him,  for  eighteen  years  had 
elapsed  since  he  first  came  to  this  place. 
The  little  ones  had  grown  up,  the  youth 
were  heads  of  families,  and  the  locks  of  the 
older  persons  were  turning  gray,  and  many 
had  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth.  Many 
new  settlers  had  come  in,  the  little  hut  vil- 
lages had  become  towns,  the  trails  and  wood- 
paths  were  now  highways  and  stage-routes, 
the  log  school-houses  had  become  substantial 
frame  churches,  and  the  wilderness  in  which 
the  missionary  fiad  suffered  was  now  being 
settled  and  covered  with  new  farms.  His 
friends  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  Mr.  Brown 


AGAIN   VISITS   THE   WEST.  I47 

and  Mr.  Wilson  and  Mr.  Truman,  the  de- 
fender of  Temperance,  were  still  alive,  "Stead- 
fast and  unmovable,  always  abounding  in  the 
work  of  the  Lord." 

Many  blessed  seasons  he  enjoyed  with 
them,  and  they  were  often  "sitting  in 
heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus."  After  a 
rest  of  some  days,  the  missionary  felt  able 
to  preach  and  lecture  among  the  people. 
The  opposition  to  Sunday-schools  and  the 
cause  of  Temperance  had  in  a  great  measure 
subsided ;  public  opinion,  that  great  leveler  of 
uprisings,  had  taken  sides  with  the  "  new 
measures,"  for  the  very  elements  of  the 
Western  character  demand  progress  and  life. 
The  missionary's  preaching  was  especially 
blest  to  the  Sunday-schools ;  through  his  ef- 
forts whole  classes,  with  their  teachers,  were 
brought  into  the  Church. 

During  one  of  these  gracious  seasons, 
when  many  were  turning  to  the  Lord,  a 
dreadful  murder  was  committed  at  one  of  the 


148  SCENES   IN  THE  WEST. 

groceries  in  the  village.  One  of  the  Sunday- 
school  teachers,  and  a  noted  advocate  of  Tem- 
perance, heard  that  one  of  his  class  had  been 
persuaded  to  accompany  a  man  to  a  grocery. 
The  teacher  resolved  to  save  his  scholar  from 
the  influence  of  the  fiends  who  were  aiming 
at  his  destruction  ;  he  succeeded  in  getting 
the  boy  to  leave  the  place.  They  had  taken 
but  a  few  steps,  when  some  one  rushed  up 
behind  the  young  man,  and  stabbed  him  in 
the  back  under  the  shoulder  blade,  piercing 
his  heart.  The  knife  did  its  work  effectually, 
for  he  expired  in  almost  a  moment's  time. 

The  excitement  following  this  event  was 
intense.  There  were  several  persons  present, 
who  held  the  murdered  young  man  in  high 
esteem;  these  arrested  the  murderer  and  held 
him  secure.  In  the  meantime,  the  news  of 
the  atrocious  deed  spread  all  over  the  coun- 
try, and  hundreds  gathered  to  the  scene  of 
blood.  Had  it  not  been  for  the  high  state  of 
religious  interest  prevailing,  lynch  law  would 


AGAIN   VISITS  THE  WEST.  I49 

have  been  executed  upon  the  heartless  crimi- 
nal, by  hanging  him  to  the  nearest  tree  ;  but 
an  officer  was  allowed  to  lead  him  away  to  a 
place  of  confinement. 

The  young  man's  body  was  conveyed  to 
his  father's  house  amid  weeping  and  lamen- 
tations. This  was  too  much  for  some  of  the 
people;  and,  as  if  actuated  by  a  sense  of  jus- 
tice, they  went  back  and  demolished  the  den 
as  a  common  nuisance.  All  the  liquors  were 
destroyed  and  the  owners  prosecuted.  This 
was  summary  work;  but  the  general  tempera- 
ment of  the  Western  people  is  such,  that 
they  not  unfrequently  take  the  law  into  their 
own  hands,  when  they  fear  that  justice  will 
be  tardy  or  uncertain  from  the  courts. 

On  the  day  appointed  for  the  funeral  of 
the  young  man,  hundreds  were  early  at  the 
house  of  the  dead.  The  Temperance  Socie- 
ties were  all  present  in  mourning.  Many 
who,  through  his  instrumentality,  had  been  led 

to    Christ  were   there,   and    shed   tears   of 
13* 


150  SCENES  IN  THE  WEST. 

genuine  grief  over  his  remains ;  aged  Chris- 
tians groaned  in  their  sorrow.  Indeed,  there 
was  scarcely  one  present  who  was  not  moved 
to  tears. 

The  missionary  preached  the  funeral  ser- 
mon from  John  xi,  25  : — "  I  am  the  resurrec- 
tion and  the  life ;  he  that  believeth  in  me, 
though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live."  He 
alluded  to  the  consolation  afforded  in  the 
sentence  referring  to  eternal  life.  He  ex- 
horted all  to  prepare  for  death,  and  dealt 
the  rumsellers  a  blow,  which,  connected  with 
the  circumstances  that  brought  them 
together,  led  them  to  think,  at  least,  of  what 
they  were  doing.  He  concluded  with  a  refer- 
ence to  the  exemplary  Christian  character  of 
the  deceased,  and  exhorted  all  to  follow  him, 
as  far  as  he  had  followed  Christ. 

Several  other  ministers  were  present,  who 
also  delivered  short  addresses  of  a  very  im- 
pressive character.  These  were  followed  by 
Mr.  Truman,  who  made  one  of  the  most  elo- 


AGAIN   VISITS   THE  WEST. 


151 


quent  and  masterly  appeals  in*  behalf  of  the 
Temperance  cause  ever  made  in  that  country. 
An  aged  minister  then  led  in  prayer,  after 
which  the  painful  exercises  were  closed. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

DEATH. 

''  I  ^HE  murderer  had  been  taken  to  the 
-*-  county  jail  to  await  his  trial.  In  the  mean- 
time, suspicion  was  aroused  that  the  prisoner 
was  George  Steele,  but  he  steadily  denied  it, 
and  insisted  that  he  was  John  Pogue.  The 
rumor  coming  to  Mary's  ears,  she  at  once 
feared  that  it  might  be  true  ;  and  to  relieve 
her  mind  of  the  dreadful  suspense,  she  re- 
solved to  know  the  worst,  and  hence  ob- 
tained permission  to  enter  his  cell.  When 
the  door  was  opened,  there,  in  chains,  sat 
George !  Although  she  had  felt  that  it 
would  be  so,  she  was  nevertheless  shocked 

at  the  sight  before  her.     He  tried  to  evade 

152 


DEATH.  153 

the  recognition,  but  his  heart  failed;  un- 
governable emotions  unmanned  him,  and  he 
wept  like  a  child. 

"George,  my  brother,  my  dear  brother, 
how  could  you  do  that  thing?"  she  ex 
claimed,  and  her  whole  frame  shook  as  she 
spoke.  After  a  while  she  became  more  calm 
and  asked  the  keeper  to  allow  her  to  be 
alone  with  her  brother  for  a  short  time;  he 
consented,  and  she  sat  down  on  the  bed, 
close  beside  her  brother,  as  she  did  years 
ago,  when  they  played  under  the  elm-tree  at 
their  dear  old  home.  He  told  her  all — "But," 
said  he,  "  I  was  in  liquor,  and  a  fiend  seemed 
to  drive  me  to  the  awful  deed  !  I  was  not  to 
blame  so  much;  I  did  not  use  to  be  so,  did  I, 
Mary  ?  " 

"  No,  George,"  she  gently  replied,  "  you 
were  once  a  good  boy ; "  and  then,  after 
hesitating  a  moment,  she  said,  "  do  you  pray 
now,  brother  ?  " 

He  looked  at  her  in  a  dreamy  way,  and 


154  SCENES    IN  THE  WEST. 

said,  "/  pray !  I  cannot  pray ! "  then  his  eye 
kindled,  and  he  continued,  "/  am  not  to 
blame ;  when  you  and  I  wanted  to  be  good 
father  would  not  let  us,  but  taught  us  that 
Sabbath-breaking,  swearing,  dancing  and 
drinking  were  only  amusements  that  every- 
body should  enjoy ;  and  we  soon  learned  to 
like  these  things,  Mary — and  where  am  I 
now?"  She  leaned  her  head  upon  her  hands 
and  sighed  ;  then  rousing  herself,  said  hope- 
fully, "  It  is  not  too  late  yet,  George ;  God 
has  been  merciful  to  me,  and  has  pardoned 
all  my  sins ;  if  you  repent  as  I  did.  He  will 
not  cast  you  off;  but  you  must  pray,  George, 
with  all  your  heart." 

Looking  into  her  eyes,  he  replied  by  say- 
ing, "VoH  pray  for  me,  Mary."  Kneeling 
down,  she  brought  her  poor,  sinful  brother's 
case  before  the  Mercy-seat ;  but  there  was 
no  godly  sorrow  for  sin  in  his  heart — the  fear 
of  death  made  him  wish  for  prayers.  Had 
he  been  at  liberty,  he  would  have  been  as  bad 


DEATH.  155 

as  ever ;  and  no  wonder  pardon  was  not 
granted.  After  Mary  rose  from  her  knees, 
she  had  some  further  conversation  with  her 
brother,  and  then  took  leave  of  him  with  a 
heavy  heart.  This  was  their  last  meeting. 
The  time  for  George's  trial  arrived ;  the 
court-room  was  crowded  with  curious  and 
idle  spectators ;  the  prisoner  was  brought 
forward  to  answer  the  charge  of  murder  ;  he 
pleaded  "  Not  guilty."  A  plea  of  insanity 
was  set  up  by  his  counsel,  and  an  artful 
defense  made  for  him;  but  the  case  was 
clear,  and  the  testimony  against  him  over- 
whelming. 

The  Judge  of  the  district  was  Henry 
Brown.  The  prisoner  was  directed  to  stand 
up ;  the  Judge  asked  him  if  he  had  anything 
.  further  to  say,  why  sentence  of  death  should 
not  be  pronounced ;  he  shook  his  head  and 
faltered,  "No.''  After  receiving  his  sentence, 
he  desired  to  see  the  Judge.  They  met. 
Neither  could  speak — a  convulsive  pressure 


156  SCENES   IN   THE  WEST. 

of  hands  was  all  that  passed  between  them. 

What  a  contrast  is  here !  Both  men  occu- 
pied the  same  social  position  in  childhood  ; 
yet  a  difference  in  training  and  associations 
brought  about  the  present  result.  May  God 
help  us  to  take  warning ! 

Thirty  days  were  given  the  prisoner  to  pre- 
pare for  the  eternal  future.  His  jailer  was 
kind  to  him,  and  offered  to  get  him  any 
religious  advice  he  desired;  at  first 'he 
refused  to  see  any  one,  but  as  the  time  of 
death  drew  nearer,  he  consented ;  the  mis- 
sionary to.  whom  he  had  given  a  cup  of  water 
in  his  boyhood  was  ready  and  anxious  to  go 
to  him ;  and  no  sooner  had  he  received 
George's  permission,  than  he  was  at  his  side, 
endeavoring  to  shed  light  upon  his  darkened 
understanding;  but  the  good  man's  prayers 
and  advice  seemed  to  produce  little  or  no 
impression  upon  the  mind  and  heart  of  George. 
He  felt  that  there  was  no  hope  for  him,  and 
as  the  missionary  left  him  he  requested  him 


DEATH.  157 

to  preach  his  funeral  sermon,  and  in  doing 
so,  warn  others  not  to  follow  the  example  of 
one  whose  earthly  career  was  short,  and 
ended  in  death  and  everlasting  misery. 

We  will  now  draw  a  veil  over  the  closing 
scene  in  the  life  of  this  young  man.  In  doing 
so,  we  would  say  to  the  Sunday-school  scholar, 
bear  in  mind  your  great  privileges — do  not 
abuse  them — do  not  consider  it  a  task,  but  a 
pleasure,  to  prepare  the  lessons  given  you — ■ 
keep  ever  before  your  mind  the  fact,  that  it 
is  your  soul's  eternal  interest,  and  God's 
glory,  for  which  you  must  work. 

The  missionary  lived  several  years  after 
his  return  to  his  Eastern  home;  and,  like  Paul, 
he  would  frequently  write  an  epistle  to  his 
brethren  in  the  West — thus  could  their  hearts 
still  commune  with  each  other.  But  the 
time  came  when  this  laborer  in  the  Master's 
vineyard  was  called  to  rest.  The  close  of 
his  life  was  as  calm  as  the  summer  evening 
upon  which  he  was  called.    With  the  apostle 


158  SCENES    IN    THE    WEST. 

he  could  say,  "  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I 
have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the 
faith.  Henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a 
crown  of  righteousness,  which  the  Lord,  the 
righteous  Judge,  shall  give  at  that  day — and 
not  to  me  only,  but  unto  all  them  that  love 
His  appearing." 

Compare  the  death  of  the  earnest,  working 
Christian,  with  that  of  the  opposer  of  truth 
or  of  the  cold-hearted  formalist.  After  death 
comes  the  judgment! — and  the  Saviour  has 
said,  that  the  former  shall  live  and  reign  with 
Him,  whilst  the  latter  shall  go  away  into 
everlasting  punishment. 

Reader,  to  which  of  these  classes  do  you 
belong? 


THE   END. 


^ 


